Supplier Data - Parts

Using URL links to view parametric data on the supplier's webpage.

From the Libraries, Panel Right Click > References >  Supplier Parts Details



With a couple of clicks you are at your supplier's website with all of the details shown for the selected part.

From parts placed in your schematic, Right Click > References >  Supplier Parts Details

From the Parts Frontend application double click on the Black Hat to open your browser at the supplier's webpage.

Searching for other Suppliers

I keep a shortcut on my browser's toolbar for Octopart to find inventory at other suppliers.


That's it.

Datasheets

The Parts database supports links to datasheets stored on local drives or the internet.

I prefer to use links to datasheets on the internet when possible because locally stored datasheets will be outdated when the manufacturer revises datasheets.

To support a relative path to locally saved datasheets the 'Datasheets folder'
and 'Parts_Backend' folder should same parent folder as shown below. 

'Datasheets' folder shown below is relative to the Parts Backend folder.

Select the datasheet folder button to view locally saved datasheets.

If you wish to open locally save PDFs from Schematics or the Libraries Panel uncheck the Datasheet option in the Configuration Options and save the Configuration.

The Datasheet Folder option can be toggled (checked then unchecked) after moving the datasheet folder to update the full path to the local datasheets. 

Tip: Access has as text field size limit of 255 characters, this is rarely a problem. However storing the backend database and local datasheets in a folder with a short path is advised.

Why would you want to use a Relative Datasheet folder ?

When working with multiple customers using the Relative Datasheet Folder is a good choice.

If your are an independent contractor or a service bureau absolute file paths to datasheets on your drive will not be beneficial for your customers.

Tip: You can keep completely separate Backend databases for each customer, including the datasheets, footprints and symbols.

Locally stored datasheets can used in situations where the datasheet is proprietary, in a preliminary status, or not available on the internet.

Website URLs 

You can drag and drop a URL links from your favorite browser to the 'Link 1 URL' or 'Link 2 URL' fields.

Tip: You will never have file locked issues when using URL links to datasheets.

That's It !

Preferred Manufacturer Names

Parts includes an optional feature to create and use Preferred Manufacturer Names

Select the button next the the Manufacturer field to open the Manufacturers form.

Preferred Manufacturers has three purposes.

1) Create Hyperlinks to the Manufacturer's website.

2) Create or Edit Preferred Manufacturer Names.

3) Map Manufacturer Names to PCB Libraries.

Example: Preferred Name for Molex Connector Corporation













Example: Consolidate all variations of Molex




Notes:

The Parts demo Manufacturers table includes 1000+ Mfrs.  However the drop down list for Mfrs in your Parts Frontend displays only the Mfrs which you have used in the Parts database.

The latest version of Parts includes a Mfr_PCBL field which is used to optimize searches for footprints at PCB Libraries.

Refer to: https://www.pcblibraries.com/POD/data/mfrlist/

That's It !