Mouser's New Format

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Parts 'drag and drop' has been updated to support Mouser's new format.

01/31/2018 Updated Parts Frontend to support United Kingdom.

Download Parts at https://pcbparts.blogspot.com/p/downloads.html

Replace your Parts_Frontend.accde file with the file in the download.

For drag and drop from Mouser use country USA, CAN, or UK.

That's it !

MySQL Parts - Schemas and Tables

Parts includes dynamic scripts to create schemas and tables for MySQL.

To create the MySQL Scripts  select > Tools > Scripts for MySQL

The MySQL scripts can be used to simplify migration from Access to MySQL.

Using the MySQL Workbench.

Use the MySQL scripts generated in Parts to create MySQL schemas and tables.

MySQL uses lower case table names . . . 

parts
mfr_links
supplier_links

Use MySQL Workbench > File > Open SQL Script, then execute the parts script.

Use  MySQL Workbench > Query > Execute (All or Selection)

Example for the parts schema and table . . .

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Then click refresh (see mouse cursor below) ! ! !




Expand the schemas to see the parts table.




Repeat the above steps to create the mfr_links and supplier_links schemas and tables.

See MySQL Connection Strings

Contact Parts for technical support.

That's it !

MySQL Connection Strings

Create User and Password

Use the MySQL Workbench to create users and set privileges (permissions).

Select Server > User and Privileges

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Important %

Set the 'Limit to Host Matching' for the User Privileges to %

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Example MySQL Connection Strings for Parts Frontend

ODBC Driver Link: MySQL :: Download Connector/ODBC

Local Named Server (localhost)

DRIVER={MySQL ODBC 8.0 ANSI Driver};SERVER=localhost;OPTION=3;PORT=3306;DATABASE=parts;USER=username;PWD=password;PERSIST SECURITY INFO=True;

Remote or Local Server with Static IP Address

DRIVER={MySQL ODBC 8.0 ANSI Driver};SERVER=127.0.0.1;OPTION=3;PORT=3306;DATABASE=parts;USER=username;PWD=password;PERSIST SECURITY INFO=True;

Amazon Web Services

us-west - example connection string

DRIVER={MySQL ODBC 8.0 ANSI Driver};SERVER=partsdb.xxxxxxxxx.us-west-1.rds.amazonaws.com;OPTION=3;PORT=3306;DATABASE=parts;USER=tgsky_altium_rds;PWD=ZaWw2z3q;PERSIST SECURITY INFO=True;

Required Folder Structure for DBLib:

Store the Altium *.DBLib in the same folder as the Footprints and Symbols folders.

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Altium DBLib - Example MySQL Connection Strings

DRIVER={MySQL ODBC 8.0 ANSI Driver};SERVER=localhost;OPTION=3;PORT=3306;DATABASE=parts;USER=username;PWD=password;PERSIST SECURITY INFO=True;

Example connection string using an IP Address

DRIVER={MySQL ODBC 8.0 ANSI Driver};SERVER=127.0.0.1;OPTION=3;PORT=3306;DATABASE=parts;USER=username;PWD=password;PERSIST SECURITY INFO=True;

Important  Accent Character `

For MySQL in the Altium DBlib select the Advanced button and enter accent characters for the Left and Right Quote Characters. 

The accent character is the ` key above the Tab key on your keyboard.

Related Links:

ConnectionStrings.com 
Connector/ODBC Option Parameters

Remote MySQL connections - A2 Hosting

That's it !

Installing the Right Version of Parts

Users can NOT mix and match 32bit and 64bit MS Office apps on the same machine.

Having a 64-bit computer doesn't guarantee you have a 64-bit version of MS Office installed. 

Users often find that they have 32-bit versions of MS Office installed. Microsoft installation defaults to the 32-bit version because it is has less compatibility issues.

See office 64 vs 32

Users need to determine which version (32bit or 64bit) of MS Office (i.e. Word or Excel) they have installed on their machines before installing Parts. 

Link to: Find which version of Office you have Installed

If you have a 32bit MS Office installed you will need download the 32bit version of Parts.

If you have a 64bit MS Office installed you will need download the 64bit version of Parts.

To request technical support or a demo use the Contact Parts page.

best regards,

Randy

Parts Folder Permissions

Parts must be installed (extracted or copied ) to a folder in which the user has Full Control.

For example users will always have Full Control of folders on their Desktop.

As a test Right Click and Create a New Folder on your Desktop, then . . .

Right Click on the New Folder > Select Properties > Security Tab




Note as shown above the user has Full Control of the folder.

Permissions Related Problems:

If a user tries to run the Parts_Fronted.accde in a Program Files (x86) sub folder, the user may get the message shown below.





Checking the Program Files (x86) folder properties reveals the user does NOT have Full Control of the folder.

Test: Try moving the Parts folder to the Desktop and run the Parts application.

The Program Files (x86) folder is not a good location for the Parts database.

Windows 10 users may not have write permissions to the Program Files (x86) folder.

Solution: Select or Create a Folder where you have Full Control Permissions.

Example: C:\Users\YourName\Parts



To support multiple users the Parts Backend should be installed on a network drive.

To add user defined fields to the backend you must have Full Control (Permission).

Related Links:

Moving the Backend
Take Ownership of a Folder on Win 10

That's it !

Starting ID

By default Parts uses the ID field as the Primary Key. The application also supports using company part numbers for the Primary Key.

When the primary key is not a Mfr Part Number or a Company Part Number you will be able update components in the schematic with another Mfr Part Number or a Company Part Number if needed.

This unique ID key provides greater level of flexibility than a company part number key.

Selecting the New or Make Like command increments the ID to the next higher ID number.

The ID key is not restricted to being only the next higher number. If desired the librarian can unlock the ID field and enter a number for the ID.

The only restriction is that the ID number can not already be in use because the primary key is a unique number. Duplicate IDs are NOT allowed in the Parts database.

The Parts demo has a default starting number a 30000, however if you want start your database at a lower number like 10000 you can delete all the records then select New and enter your desired starting number.


To delete all records, press Ctrl + A, then press the delete key on your keyboard.

You can also use Tools > Export Excel, renumber the IDs in Excel, then Tools > Import Excel.

To prevent breaking links in existing projects IDs should not be changed after components have been placed in a design.

Using a five or six digit starting number will create nice looking ID numbers.

For example (recommended):

30000
30001
30002

30003

30004

While starting at 1 would create IDs like (not recommended):

1
12
103
1001
10000

It's your choice, however I recommend starting at 30000. This will allow for records to be added as needed with IDs below 30000 or higher than the highest ID used in the database.

Note: There is an option in the Frontend Configuration to keep the ID locked. This lock can be used to prevent users from tampering with the unique ID keys.

That's it !

Customizing Parts

You can rename the Parts.DBLib file to CompanyName.DBLib and the DBLIB will still be connected to the Parts_Backend.accdb.

You can also rename the Parts_Backend.accdb. After renaming the database you will need to open the DBLib file in Altium and connect to the renamed database file.

Also see these links:

Configuration Options
Company Part Numbers
Datasheets
Moving the Backend
Preferred Manufacturer Names
Part Types and Sub Types
Starting ID
Supplier Solutions
User Defined Fields

That's it !

Multiple Object Change

The most common reason for a mass editing Altium libraries is to modify layer usage in footprint libraries that don't follow your preferred layers.

Example:

Using the Parts database open Parts.DBLib (database library file) in Altium and use Tools > Offline Integrated Library Maker . . .

Open the Parts.PcbLib




Use Find Similar and select Whole Library

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Make some changes



Then use Tools > Library Splitter Wizard to create split files.

That's it !

Supplier Solutions - Live Bill of Materials

Parts includes an option to use Supplier Solutions. 

There are some performance costs related to using Supplier Solutions.

The performance issues are due to fetching pricing, stock, etc . . . from supplier web sites. See Bug Crunch #388: BOM Generation Takes Eternity

Updated 2/17/2019

Now that Altium uses Octoparts to gather the supplier data creating Active BOMs and using Supplier Solutions has greatly improved.  However it's still slow compared to generating BOMs without Supplier Solutions.

If you wish to use Supplier Solutions . . .

1) Rename two fields the Parts backend database.

Supplier field to Supplier 1
Supplier Part Number to Supplier Part Number 1

2) Install Suppliers in Altium (AD17)

Admin > Extensions & Updates > Installed > Configure > Select Suppliers





3) Enable Network Activity to Suppliers in Altium (AD17)

DXP Preferences > System > Network Activity > Suppliers




4) Configure the Outjob in Altium


Outjob > Report Outputs > Bill of Materials > Configure > Select Solution 1 Parameters and Supplier Options > Ok


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5) Generate BOM in Altium Outjob

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Notes: #388: BOM Generation Takes Eternity

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Suggestions:

To generate BOMs quickly, uncheck Solutions for stock, price, etc . . .





Use Octopart or Ciiva to get BOM pricing, stock, and availability :)

For faster DXP starts and a more responsive Libraries Panel uninstall all Suppliers and disable Supplier Network Activity in DXP Preferences.

To see Supplier Part Details right click in the Libraries Panel. Or right click on a symbol placed in the schematic and select Supplier Part Details.

Best of Both Worlds:

If you would like to use the Supplier Search feature in Altium without the performance hit when configuring and generating BOMs then don't use Supplier 1 and Supplier Part Number 1 parameters in your libraries.

DXP Preferences > System > Network Activity > Suppliers > Enabled

That's It !

Libraries for Altium

Component, Model and Library Concepts 

• Symbol (Graphic) 
• Footprint (Land-pattern) 
• Parametric Data (BOM) 

Library Software and Services

Library Philosophies (Nine Dot Connects)
PCB Libraries (Footprints and Step Models - Parts On Demand)

Library Types

IntLib Components (Integrated *.IntLib)
DBLib Components (Database *.DBLib)
SVNDBLib Components (Database *.SVNDBLib)
Components (Vault - Release Managed Content)

Database Libraries

Free Parts Access Database Library DBLib
ADLib (SQL Database - Web Interface)
Celestial Altium Database

Symbols Footprints and Step Models

Altium Design Content - Altium
Ciiva (Altium Extension - Linked to Altium Content)
Altium Legacy Libraries - Altium
3D Central Step Models
Altium Designer - Addons (Libraries and Scripts)
Free Integrated Library for Altium - Welldone Blog - FEDEVEL
Altium Library Arduino - Browse Files at SourceForge.net

That's it !

Microsoft Access - Best Return on Investment

In most companies the hardware design teams are small consisting of a few electrical engineers and a Librarian / Expert PCB Designer.  

Access is a perfect solution for CAD Libraries. Over the years I have worked in big companies and small startups, regardless of the size of the company the PCB design teams were typically small in comparison to the the overall size of the company.

Using a database library can significantly increase the design team's productivity.

Why MS Access is Important


The vast majority of database solutions are simple. As systems tackle larger and larger problems, the number of applications an organization has or can afford decreases.



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Source: http://www.fmsinc.com/MicrosoftAccess/Strategy/

Using Altium DBLib to Create Smart Drawings

The Problem:

The hardware design team needed to document several test stations before handing the stations off to manufacturing for production.

Example Test Station  (click on images to view)

The task included creating test connection diagrams and bills of materials.

Example Test Station Diagram (Equipment Connections)

We could have used Microsoft Viso to create the diagrams.

















What was needed was an efficient method to create the bills of materials. Creating and maintaining bills of materials (BOMs) from Viso was not an attractive option.

Example Bill of Materials.


We could have asked our mechanical engineer who uses Solidworks to create all the drawings and bills of materials.

Being a small startup we need to use existing tools and resources where possible.

The Solution: 

Use Altium and a database library (DBLib) to create Smart Test Diagrams and Bills of Materials.

The bill of materials was created using components (symbols with parametric data).

Component symbols were made using simple lines and arcs.  No Pins, Nets or Footprints were needed.

Components were added to the test diagrams to capture parametric data and assign reference designators to the equipment and cables.

The database library (DBlib) was a perfect solution because we only needed to create a few simple symbols to store the parametric data needed to create the BOMs.

Example Component 

A component can be created using a simple symbol (short line segment) and the symbol can be linked to parametric data stored in the database library.



Use Component Type - Mechanical (for drawings) to use annotation.

Note: Graphical part types will not be annotated.
One parameter named 'Value' was added to the symbol and made visible to aid in positioning the text in the symbol.

The comment could be used instead of the Value field, however I prefer to use the symbol's comment parameter for other purposes.

A close look at W4 using the simple component (line segment).

If desired the line segment can be hidden behind another object using:

Edit > Move > Send to Back > Select the line segment.

Smart PDF - Test Diagrams

Smart PDFs can display parametric data and they can include hyperlinks.



Summary:

Using Altium's schematic editor and a DBLib Library we created Smart Test Diagrams and Bills of Materials.


That's it !