What is a BOM (Bill of Materials)?
A Bill of Materials (BOM) is a comprehensive list of all the components, parts, raw materials, and subassemblies required to build or manufacture a product.
In the electronics industry (such as PCB or PCBA manufacturing), a BOM typically includes:
|
Field |
Description |
|
Part Number |
The manufacturer's part number or internal component code |
|
Description |
A brief description of the component (e.g., resistor, capacitor, IC) |
|
Quantity (Qty) |
The number of each component required per unit of product |
|
Package |
The component’s package type (e.g., 0603, SOT-23, QFN) |
|
Reference Designator |
The identifier for the component on the PCB (e.g., R1, C5, U3) |
|
Manufacturer / Vendor |
The original manufacturer or the approved supplier |
|
Remarks / Notes |
Any special instructions, such as alternate parts or special handling requirements |
Why is a BOM important?
- It serves as the foundation for procurement and inventory management.
- It is essential for PCB assembly (PCBA), guiding pick-and-place machines and manual soldering.
- It ensures consistency between the schematic, layout, and actual production.
- It plays a critical role in cost estimation, production planning, and product maintenance or upgrades.
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