What is the importance of BOM in PCB assembly

What is the importance of BOM in PCB assembly

PCB production involves a variety of raw materials that need to be assembled before actual production begins. How to determine the raw material requirements for PCB? The Bill of Materials (BOM) is the answer. A proper PCB component bill of materials enables you to know the exact components and materials you need, along with their brands, quantities, dimensions, and other details. Typically, in the case of PCB assembly, the BOM includes a list of wires, boards, surface mount components and circuit requirements, etc. This article discusses the importance of BOM for PCB assembly and other related factors.

What is a Bill of Materials (BOM)?

A Bill of Materials (BOM) is a list of raw materials, components and parts required to manufacture a specific end product. It mainly includes part number, name and quantity. It may also have a manufacturer or vendor name, additional feature columns and a comment section. This is the key link between the customer and the manufacturer, which provides detailed information about the purchased item. If the product is to be produced within the organization, it can also be provided to internal departments.

Why is BOM important for PCB assembly?

Designing a PCB and then assembling many PCBs is very complex. Therefore, it is vital that you fill in the information in it accurately. Here are some reasons why the BOM is important:

l The list is handy so you know exactly what materials you have, how many, and what remaining parts you need.

l It also estimates the number of employees required for a particular assembly based on the parts procured.

lBOM facilitates proper planning and smooth operation.

l BOM is required for audit, it helps to keep track of parts purchased and available in stock.

l Getting exactly the part you want or made by a specific manufacturer is critical.

l If not available, other options can be discussed and offered immediately.

Factors to Consider When Making a BOM

If you received an order for 50 PCB assemblies from a consumer electronics manufacturer, here are a few things to consider when making your BOM:

l It is not a good idea to consider the full amount you think you will need (50 PCB assemblies at a time).

l Instead, consider a PCB assembly, find out the type of PCB and required components, and list the part details for just one assembly.

l Let your engineering team figure out all the parts needed.

l Send the list to your client for verification.

l Almost always, you may need more than one BOM.

l Determine the BOM after final discussions with your team and customers.

It is critical that the lBOM must answer the "when", "what" and "how" questions related to the project.

So, never do a BOM hastily, as it's easy to miss some parts or mention the wrong quantity. This will result in a lot of back and forth mail and wasted production time. Most companies provide the BOM format and it is convenient to fill out. However, beyond the BOM, it is crucial that your PCB assemblies are accurate and functional. Therefore, it is crucial to deal with reliable PCB assembly manufacturers and service providers.