Approved Vendor Callouts

[KimBellingrath]

Has anyone started to use '

http://www.vendor.com'

- type callouts instead of 'address, phone/fax number' on their drawings? I have my thoughts when I look up a vendor on the net, get all of my information, and then put the name, address and phone number on the drawing, knowing that the purchasing person is going on the net to get ordering information. It seem like it's time to acknowledge the internet as the primary search/procurement tool, no? I mean, who goes to the bookcase and gets the Thomas register out anymore?

 

[TheTick]

I don't like putting full contact info (street address, phone, email) onto drawings. Vendor name and city+state should be plenty. The rest of the info should reside elsewhere, i.e. MRP system, where it will be kept current by purchasing folks anyways.

Too much of such detail could result in an ECN every time the vendor changes something.

 

[KimBellingrath]

That's exctly why I want to go right to the website. Even when they change their phones or move down the street, businesses tend to keep the website constant. Or at very least they allow for tracking to the new website, no?

 

[ctopher]

I agree with TheTick. I usually add the vendor's web site link to the Design Binder.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-05)

 

[MadMango]

According to the Global Engineering Documents Drawing Requirements Manual (and probably ASME Y14.24), you should be creating a VICD or SCD. The required information is only Vendor Name, Address, CAGE Code, and Vendor Item Number.

We don't conform to this, and instead just list Vendor Name and Phone Number (toll free prefered). As others have said, the other details are stored in our MRP/ERP system.

I have yet to see any document change process that flags a drawing to change when the vendor phone, fax or address changes.

[green]"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."[/green]
Steven K. Roberts, Technomad
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[KimBellingrath]

I AM creating VIDs and SCDs and that wasn't part of the question. Neither did I insinuate that a drawing change would be generated by a simple phone number or address change. Some responders seem to go so deep in their feedback in these threads. Just for a moment, assume that all I am asking is if using the company name and website address is an adequate substitute for listing the company name and street address. I appreciate all of the extra information but at times that steers the thread away from the primary topic and before you know it, we are discussing the proper font size for the source control drawing note.

 

[CoryPad]

Well, since you are asking so forcefully, I question in what kind of industries all of you work. Vendor contact information on a drawing? That is something I have never seen, although I must admit to working in a large, global industry rather than a small, local one. If a drawing has to provide commercial information in addition to technical information, then that would be a big change. But, if it gets the job done for you, then why ask strangers on the Internet?

Regards,

Cory

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[KimBellingrath]

I was hoping to hear from those who might have actually done this or have had the suggestion vetoed at their place of business. I could use this informed feedback to help us make the decision here based on someone's ACTUAL experiences, rather than just more noise. I guess you are not familiar with source control drawings. When you limit/control the source it's only common sense that you would list the acceptable vendor(s). This has nothing to do with the size of your (company). It's in ASME 114.24 that you list vendors on these drawings. As a side response to MADMANGO the cage code is optional on non-military drawings per the same spec.
The latest question to Cory is - What kind of business do YOU work in that doesn't use SCD or VID drawings?

 

[ewh]

Cory,
While I have not seen it referred to in any spec (other than company manuals) it is common to put vendor information on assembly drawings, tying the note to a specific item or items in an integral parts list. This is not a big change as it has been done widely for many years in the states, especially on manual drawings. That's not to say it is correct, as information referenced elsewhere in the product documentation should not be included on the drawing. With todays computerized systems, it is hard to imagine that the source is ONLY located on the drawing.

KimBellingrath,
Relative to what standard are you asking your question, or are you simply looking for personal opinions? Does your purchasing department rely solely on the drawing to order parts? If so, then adding the url in addition to the address should be allowable. I think that the address should be required for clarity (in the slim chance that there is more than one company with the same name). It is easier to tie a company to a physical address than a url.

 

[KimBellingrath]

EWH,
It's not that purchasing only relies on the drawing but more like it IS in the ANSI spec to show the vendor(s) which they are forced to use, as in the case of a Source Control Drawing. It also helps receiving inspection verify compliance with the SCD callout if they can match up the company name on the drawings with the part marking or shipping paperwork, too.

One thing is worth clearing up here - This does not apply to any random assembly drawing but only to Source Control and Vendor Item Drawings and it is not just a whim to list the vendor name - it's a requirement.

 

[TheTick]

I would be among those who would veto (or at least vote against) the suggestion.

Because the overwhelming bulk of the documents that engineers/designers/drafters work with are usually part drawings, there is a tendency to want to put all information on the drawing. In most enterprises, there are other controlled repositories for detailed vendor information and other information that is out of place on a drawing (MRP system, QC documentation, work instructions).

 

[ewh]

OK, it is for an SCD or VID. You are correct, you have to have it. I see no problem with adding the url to the note (good idea actually), but as I posted, the address should remain. After all, it is much easier for a company to change their url than their physical address.

 

[KimBellingrath]

Thanks ewh, I was coming to that realization myself as well. I will list the company name, street address and url.
btw, I realize that it is easy to change your url but what company would want to change that without leaving a trail with which to follow them?
Thanks for your input.
Kim

 

[EngJW]

For years we have been putting the company name, city, and zip code. Its value seems limited as purchasing still has to look up the address and phone number. I am starting to put just the company name, their part number, and web site, and that conforms to the way purchasing usually works. I don't bother for standard hardware parts and things like that. We change vendors like changing underwear. I try to say just "suggested source" unless there is only one or the part is really critical.

 

[ajack1]

What an interesting thread, in over 30 years I have never seen or put a company address or website on a drawing, that is not to say I am correct.

Virtually all companies I have worked for or contracted to supply an approved supplier list so if you want to buy a certain type of item they say whom it must be sourced from. General items I would not specify like mild steel, screws and the like but say for pneumatics I would just put the company (as specified by the customer) description as per the catalogue or website and the part number. I have never seen it done differently.

 

[KimBellingrath]

ajack,
It's funny how some industries have their own processes, no?
If you look at the ANSI spec regarding source control and vendor item drawings, you will see that one has:

'SUGGESTED SOURCE OF SUPPLY' (Vendor Item Drawing)
meaning go where ever as long as you get one of 'these'.
This is for hardware, insulation, gasketing, hose...

and the other has:

'APPROVED SOURCE OF SUPPLY' (Source Control Drawing)
meaning that you must go to this vendor for one of 'these'.
This is used when something that has been qualified through engineering is to be used exclusively because it's characteristics are critical.
Hope this clears things up a little.
Kim

 

[EngJW]

I've seen old drawings that even gave the person to contact. Real old, so the person would be long gone. It would be fun to submit an ecr for that, except the dept manager would probably have required a death certificate for proper documentation.

 

[KENAT]

Could I suggest you look into using CAGE Codes as suggested above. Hopefully then if the vendor details change the cage code info is updated.

You can look up cage codes at:

http://www.bpn.gov/bincs/begin_search.asp

Can be a little confusing but good way of putting effectively a lot of info on a drawing.

From what I recall you are correct for source of supply drawings the ANSI gives the address.

Putting the web address, or even the phone number goes against what I was taught but that doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong.