Thus if you buy a muffler of P/N 12345 today, and another muffler of P/N 12345 next Tuesday, you have bought 'two copies of the same part', or 'two parts', depending on the sense implied. This distinction is not always clear, as natural language blurs it by typically referring to both part designs, and particular instantiations of those designs, by the same word, 'part(s)'. In other words, a part number identifies any particular (physical) part as being made to that one unique design a serial number, when used, identifies a particular (physical) part (one physical instance), as differentiated from the next unit that was stamped, machined, or extruded right after it. The part design versus instantiations of it Īs a part number is an identifier of a part design (independent of its instantiations), a serial number is a unique identifier of a particular instantiation of that part design. In this example, 'HSC0424PP' is the part number, and it may be prefixed in database fields as 'PN HSC0424PP' or 'P/N HSC0424PP'. įor example, when specifying a screw, it is easier to refer to 'HSC0424PP' than saying 'Hardware, screw, machine, 4-40, 3/4' long, pan head, Phillips'. A part number unambiguously identifies a part design within a single corporation, and sometimes across several corporations. Its purpose is to simplify reference to that item. ( September 2011) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Ī part number (often abbreviated PN, P/N, part no., or part #) is an identifier of a particular part design or material used in a particular industry.

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Part & Parcel by Abigail Roux