CAD File Management and Naming Convention
Mandatory procedure for organising, naming, and versioning all CAD files across engineering and manufacturing. Eliminates duplicate files, ensures traceability, and supports lean document control.
This program establishes a single source of truth for all CAD files (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, AutoCAD, Inventor, etc.) used in production and design. It mandates a consistent naming structure, versioning protocol, and automated check-in/check-out to prevent overwrites and ensure audit trails. Every file must comply with the five‑field naming schema: Project‑PartNumber‑Revision‑ComponentType‑Description. Non‑compliant files are rejected at gate review.
Applies to all engineers, designers, CAD technicians, and any personnel who create, modify, or archive CAD files at the facility. Includes native part/assembly files, drawings, STEP/IGES exports, and simulation files. Excludes temporary scratch files or reference PDFs stored locally. The procedure covers the centralised network drive (\\server\cad_lib\) and any cloud‑synced directory under the company PDM system.
- Mandatory naming format:
[PROJECT]_[PN]_[REV]_[TYPE]_[DESC].SLDPRT. Example:MACH3_0750_R02_FRAME_BASE.SLDPRT. No spaces or special characters except underscore. - Revision control: Each revision increments the tag (R01 → R02 …). Major releases change the project version. Revisions must align with the ECO (Engineering Change Order) number.
- Check in/out: Before editing any file, the user must “Check Out” via the PDM or a formal locker system. No simultaneous writes to the same file. Check in with a comment referencing the ECO or task ID.
- Archive policy: Obsolete revisions are moved to
_Archivefolder with a date stamp, never deleted. Active project folders contain only the current revision plus a_Refsubfolder for imported geometry. - Export naming: Neutral formats (STEP, IGES, PDF) inherit the source file name with a suffix:
_STEP,_IGES,_DWG. Never rename exports arbitrarily.
- Design Engineers / CAD Technicians – Ensure all files created or modified follow the naming convention and revision rules. Perform check‑in/check‑out procedures and update the change log.
- Engineering Manager / Lead Designer – Conduct weekly file audits (random sample of 10% of modified files). Enforce compliance and escalate repeated violations.
- Document Control Clerk – Maintain the archive directory, purge temporary local copies, and generate monthly compliance reports.
- IT / PDM Administrator – Manage user permissions, automate naming validation scripts, and backup the CAD library nightly.