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Can you export a BOM (bill of materials) from CATIA to Excel?

Yes, this can be achieved using the built-in tools or custom macros.

Method 1: Using the built-in BOM tool

  1. Open the assembly:
    • Open the assembly in CATIA V5 from which you want to generate the BOM.
  2. Access the BOM tool:
    • Navigate to analyze > bill of material in the top menu.
  3. Define BOM format:
    • In the BOM dialog, click on define format to customize the columns and properties (e.g., part number, quantity, material) you want to include in the BOM.
  4. Export to Excel:
    • After defining the format, click save as and choose Excel (.xls) as the file type.
    • Save the file to your desired location.

Method 2: Using ENOVIA SmarTeam for rolled-up BOMs

  1. Search for assembly:
    • Run a search for the assembly item in ENOVIA SmarTeam.
  2. Open BOM editor:
    • Select the assembly and click on the open BOM Editor icon under the PLM tab.
  3. Expand structure:
    • Ensure all components are displayed by setting expand all display.
  4. Generate summary BOM:
    • Click on the summary BOM icon to create a rolled-up view of all components.
  5. Export to Excel:
    • Select export to Excel. The rolled-up BOM will be saved as an Excel file with all relevant data included.

Method 3: For advanced users, VBA macros can automate exporting a structured BOM:

  1. Use a macro script:
    • A VBA macro can traverse the CATIA specification tree and extract part properties like part number, nomenclature, and quantity.
      Example macro functionalities include ignoring specific parts, including deactivated components, and formatting data into Excel.
  2. Run macro in CATIA:
    • Load and execute your macro within CATIA (tools > macro > macros).
    • The macro will generate and save an Excel file with your specified BOM structure.
  3. Tips for success:
    • Ensure that your CATIA installation includes licenses for BOM export functionality.
    • Use tools like CATDUA to clean up assemblies before generating a BOM to avoid errors.
    • For large assemblies, consider using ENOVIA SmarTeam or custom scripts for better control over formatting and data integrity.

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