# 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.

***

### 🔑 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)
```

***

### 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. 

***

### 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

***

### 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

***

### 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

***

### 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

***

### 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

***

### 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**

***

### 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

***

### 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)

***

### 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

***

### 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

***

### "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)

***

### 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

***

### 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)

***

## 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

<figure><img src="/files/VApBFI8mldCaiD3jyfyJ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### 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.


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