For SolidWorks users

From a SolidWorks BOM to purchase orders

Export the bill of materials from SolidWorks as a spreadsheet, import it into AssembleFlow, and send quote requests and purchase orders to your suppliers from the same parts list. No full ERP to set up.

How the import works

AssembleFlow imports the BOM as an exported spreadsheet: CSV, XLSX, XLSM or XLS. It does not open SolidWorks files directly, so the first step always happens in SolidWorks.

When you import, AssembleFlow suggests a column mapping (Part No, Description, Qty per machine, Supplier, price and so on) and you can change it before anything is saved. Part numbers are kept exactly as they are written in your file. If you import a revised file into the same project, parts whose part number is already there are skipped.

Get total quantities with a "Parts only" BOM

AssembleFlow does not add up quantities through subassembly levels. If a subassembly with 5 screws is used 8 times, it will not calculate the 40 screws for you, and it does not merge the same part number from several rows into one purchase order line.

SolidWorks can do the totalling for you. A BOM of the type Parts only lists each part once with its total quantity for the whole assembly. In general:

  1. In SolidWorks, open or insert the BOM table of the top-level assembly and set the BOM type to Parts only.
  2. Save the BOM table as an Excel or CSV file.
  3. In AssembleFlow, open the project, choose Import BOM, select the file and check the column mapping.

For the exact steps in your SolidWorks version, see the official SOLIDWORKS Help (help.solidworks.com) on bill of materials types and saving BOM tables.

Qty per machine is then multiplied by the number of machines in the project.

After the import

  • Send quote requests and purchase orders to each supplier straight from the parts list.
  • Record goods received line by line, including partial deliveries with the outstanding quantity.
  • Record shortages, wrong, damaged or rejected parts, and attach delivery notes, material certificates and certificates of conformity.
  • Share stock across all your jobs and track project cost against budget.

What it does not do

  • It does not read SolidWorks files directly; it imports an exported spreadsheet.
  • It does not rebuild the assembly tree: assemblies are imported as a flat list of groups.
  • It does not roll up subassembly quantities or merge identical part numbers on purchase orders. Use a Parts only BOM as described above.

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SolidWorks is a trademark of Dassault Systèmes. AssembleFlow is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dassault Systèmes.