A part instance represents an assembled product that is uniquely identified by a serial and/or lot number. The part structure of a part instance uses the part versions specified by a part configuration. Part instances can be revised and associated to new part configurations in order to record changes made to the traceable assembly while it is in service.

For more information about part configurations, see Part Configurations.

A part instance is incorporated when its assembly is completed. Incorporation is recorded using either a planned or actual incorporation date. For more information about incorporation, see Incorporating a Part Instance.

Part instances may use traceable parts in their part structures. The child traceable parts may in turn have part instances. The serial and/or lot numbers of child part instances are referenced to the serial and/or lot number of the parent part instance using allocation. The configuration of the highest part instance is not fully known until all child part instances are incorporated and allocated.

For more information about allocation, see:

There are field maintenance situations where child part instances in the structure of the top-level part instance must be disassembled and replaced with other part instances. This removal of a child part instance from a parent part instance is called de-allocation.

For more information about de-allocation, see Deallocating a Part Instance.