When you are working on a PCB design project, you need to create a BOM to send on to your manufacturer. This is a very important step and if you fail to create an effective BOM then you might find that your project is at risk.
We understand how difficult it can be to create an effective BOM if you have never done it before. This is why we have put together some tips to help you achieve this. Keep reading to find out more.
What Is A BOM?
Before we get started on our tips, we thought we’d first look at what a BOM is exactly. Essentially, a BOM is a Bill Of Materials and it is an entire list of everything that you need for your project. In the BOM, you’ll find everything from the raw materials to the sub-components and the quantities needed for the entire project.
A BOM is required regardless of the size of the project so it is really important that you get it right the first time.
Using Software
One of the best ways to create an effective BOM is to use the best PCB circuit design software out there right now. Companies like Altium have incorporated tools in their packages that allow you to create the BOM as you go. This means that you won’t be left with a huge task at the end of the project and you’ll be less likely to forget parts of your BOM. Make sure that you are using this software in order to create an effective BOM.
Consider Change Management
When you are working on a project for a long time, it is likely that there will be a lot of changes made. This is why it is important that you have a change management system
in place to ensure that your BOM is as effective as possible. This is even more important if more than one person is working on the project as you need to ensure that everything is kept up to date. If you can work on your change management then you will find that your BOM is more effective.
Start Right Away
Our final tip for those who want to create an effective BOM is to start at the very beginning. If you can find the time to keep track of all of your components from the start, then you will find that things are much easier along the way. Do your research and find out what exactly needs to go into the BOM. If you miss out any important categories, then you will be in trouble. Start as soon as possible and things will be much easier.
If you want to create an effective BOM for your PCB design project, then you should make sure to take on board all of the advice that we have given you in this article. Think about downloading the best software to automate a lot of the process.
