Sorting Numbers Tutorial

Note:

The tutorial is at the end of the document. It is recommended that you read the preliminary text before jumping to the tutorial.

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🔑 Core Concept

ONE Sorting Number = ONE Component TYPE = MANY Identical Pieces

Example: Sorting #1 = 50 identical rafters
         All 50 pieces share the same number
         
Think: SKU/Part Number (one number, multiple units)
NOT: Serial number (unique per piece)

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Sorting Number vs. Item Number

Sorting Number	Item Number
Component TYPE identifier	Material specification
Integer (whole number)	String (text)
"Which type is this?"	"What's it made of?"
Sorting #1 (50 pcs)	"Pine 45x120"
Project-specific	Database-wide
Assigned during sorting	Selected at creation
Production/assembly use	Ordering/cost calculation

Analogy:

• Sorting # = SKU/Recipe Number

• Item # = Material/Ingredient Spec

Note:

The material database has an order number as well. This is used to refer to external databases.

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When to Sort

✅ DO Sort:

• After completing component input

• Before generating outputs (lists, plans, machine files)

• After modifying existing components

• Before releasing to production

❌ DON'T Sort:

• During active component input

• Multiple times unnecessarily

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Quick Access Methods

1. Menu → Sorting/Sorting and Labelling

2. Toolbar Icon → Click sorting icon

3. Keyboard Shortcut → (Check your menu)

4. Automatic → Try to generate output, system prompts

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Essential Settings

Start Numbers (Recommended)

Walls:        1
Floor Decks:  200
Roof:         400
D-CAM:        600

Critical Setting

"Identical numbers allowed in model": NO

• Prevents duplicate numbers across model areas

• Avoids machine file errors

• Only changeable in D-CAM

Restart Sorting

• Positional: Most common

• Floor by Floor: For multi-story

• Wall by Wall: For wall prefab

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Basic Sorting Workflow

1. Open sorting dialog - Option 1-8.

2. Set start numbers per model area

3. Choose restart method (usually "Positional")

4. Set "Identical numbers in model" to "No"

5. Click OK

6. Review results (check for warnings)

7. Verify in material list

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Adding to Sorted Building

Use "Sorting New" When:

• Major changes made

• Want complete re-optimization

• Many components modified/deleted

Use "Attaching" When:

• Few new components added

• Want to preserve existing numbers

• Production already using numbers

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Fixed Sorting Numbers

When to Use:

• Numbers from external documentation

• Large/critical components (glulam beams)

• Customer-specified numbers

• Building sequence control

How to Apply (D-CAM only):

1. Switch to D-CAM

2. Enter desired number

3. Select component(s)

4. Click assignment button:

   • Top button: Sequential (50, 51, 52...)

   • Second button: Same number for all

Visual Indicator:

• Fixed numbers show underlined and bold

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Beam Type Number Ranges

Example Setup:

Component Type     | Beam Type | Number Range
-------------------|-----------|-------------
Purlins            | 320-329   | 100-149
Rafters            | 410-419   | 150-199
Panels             | 851-853   | 200-399
Engineered         | 700-799   | 400-499

Benefits:

• Component type recognizable by number

• Organizes production lines

• Simplifies machine file management

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Serial Numbers: Not Available

⚠️ Dietrich's does NOT track individual pieces within batches

What This Means:

• Sorting #1 (50 rafters) = batch identifier

• Cannot distinguish rafter #1 from rafter #2

• All 50 are simply "Sorting #1"

Exception:

When Qty = 1, sorting # effectively becomes serial #

• Unique components fully traceable

• Example: Sorting #3 (1 ridge beam)

If You Need Individual Tracking:

1. External barcode system

2. RFID tagging

3. Make each piece unique in Dietrich's (1 sorting # per piece)

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Quick Checklist

Before Finalizing Sorting:

• [ ] All components have numbers

• [ ] Identical components share numbers

• [ ] Different components have different numbers

• [ ] No model area overlaps

• [ ] Fixed numbers protected

• [ ] Beam type ranges working

• [ ] Material list generates correctly

Before Production Release:

• [ ] Final sorting verified

• [ ] Settings saved

• [ ] Changes communicated to team

• [ ] Updated lists generated

• [ ] Machine files regenerated

• [ ] Assembly docs updated

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Production Workflow Summary

Phase 1: Design

• Select Item Numbers (materials)

• No sorting numbers yet

Phase 2: Sorting

• Run sorting function

• System assigns Sorting Numbers

• Groups identical components

Phase 3: Ordering

• Use Item Numbers to order materials

• There is an Order Number as well but that is if we want to co-relate to a supplier number.

• Total quantities by item number

Phase 4: Production

• Use Item Number to get material

• Use Sorting Number for machining program

Phase 5: Assembly

• Use Sorting Number to identify components

• Use Item Number to verify material

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"What's the Number?" Guide

Question: "What's component number 25?" Answer: Sorting Number (component type)

Question: "What's the item number?" Answer: Item Number (material spec)

Question: "What do I order from supplier?" Answer: Item Number

Question: "What machine program do I run?" Answer: Sorting Number

Question: "What's on the label?" Answer: Both (Sorting # primary, Item # verification)

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Number Strategy Planning

Estimate Quantities:

Example Building:
Walls:         1-199    (~200 components)
Floor Decks:   200-399  (~200 components)
Roof:          400-699  (~300 components)
Special/D-CAM: 700-999  (~300 components)

Buffer Advice:

Add 20-30% buffer to ranges for changes

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Key Takeaways

1. Sort at milestones, not continuously

2. Plan number ranges before starting

3. Use "Attach" to preserve numbers

4. Fix critical components early

5. Set "No duplicates" to avoid conflicts

6. Verify before production

7. One sorting # = one type (multiple pieces)

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Tutorial: Using Sorting Numbers in Dietrich's

Part 1: Basic Automatic Sorting

Step 1: Understanding When to Sort

Before you begin, recognize that sorting should be done:

• ✅ After completing major component input phases

• ✅ Before generating any production outputs

• ✅ After modifying existing components

• ✅ When preparing for machine file export

Do NOT sort:

• ❌ During active component input (wait until a logical break)

• ❌ Multiple times unnecessarily (it doesn't improve results)

Step 2: Accessing the Sorting Function

Option A: From the Menu

• Navigate using Option 1-8.

• Select "Sorting" or "Sorting and Labelling"

Option D: Automatic Prompt

• Simply try to generate a list, plan, or machine file

• The system will automatically prompt you to sort if needed

Step 3: Understanding the Sorting Dialog

The sorting dialog contains three sub-dialog boxes:

Sub-Dialog 1: Sorting Parameters (Main Settings)

This is where you'll spend most of your time. Key settings include:

Start Number:

• Sets the beginning number for this model area

• Example: Walls = 1, Roof = 200, Floor = 400

Restart Sorting:

• Positional: Numbers restart based on position

• Floor by Floor: New number sequence for each floor

• Wall by Wall: New number sequence for each wall

• Similar options for floor decks, roofs, roof surfaces, trusses

Sort According To:

• Defines the criteria for determining if components are identical

• Options automatically adjust based on "Restart Sorting" setting

Package/Element Consideration:

• Can be set separately for each model area

• Determines if building element relationships affect sorting

Identical Numbers Allowed in Model:

• Yes: Same sorting numbers can exist in different model areas

• No: Ensures globally unique numbers across all model areas

  • Prevents problems when generating machine files

  • Automatically sets other options for consistency

Sub-Dialog 2: Beam Type Dependent Sorting Numbers

Use this to assign number ranges to specific component types.

Sub-Dialog 3: Replacement Item Numbers

For automatic material specification substitution during sorting.

Please contact our team if you have any questions.