1. Adding an M12 x 40 bolt to an assembly, simply choose, add new component and select the Metric Bolts and Screws part family master in standard parts folder.

2. Thread size 12 Attributes Length 40 Valid values Matching members
6 choices
This will bring up the part family dialogue box with 3 separate areas. Attributes – Valid Values and matching members. At this point the matching members will be a list of all the bolts and set screws used by our company which will be many hundreds.
Select the thread size attribute and pick 12 from the list of valid values, this will start to filter out the matching members, then select the length attribute and pick 40 which again will filter the matching members list in this case down to 6 parts, 3 of which will be a bolt the other 3 a setscrew but each with a different finish.

3. Select this part name attribute
Select bolt
Valid values displayed as bolt or set screw
Corresponding 3 part number filtered out.
To decipher which is the bolt and which is the set screw, scroll down and select the DB_PART_NAME for example and there are 2 valid values displayed – one is a set screw and the other a bolt
Finally select the Bolt M12 x 40 Grade 8.8 and final 3 valid values are filtered out and all is left is to decide which finish, plain, zinc or dacromet.

4. Click OK and the correct part is then ready to added to the assembly
Click OK and the correct part is then ready to added to the assembly. This is why part families are so useful when dealing with large numbers of standard parts.