When developing a new product, we think of rapid PCB prototyping, meaning production in as short a time as possible. Shortening the design and testing of a process that is suitable for small batch PCB prototyping services. In order to maintain a competitive edge, it is essential to bring your product to market as quickly as possible. When taking your product from design to production, communication between manufacturers, suppliers, engineers and designers needs to be consistent in order for the final product to be of high quality.

An important document when communicating with your manufacturer is the BOM sheet. An accurate BOM sheet will help your design to be manufactured quickly. To optimize your bill of materials for rapid PCB prototyping, consider the following.

Ensure detail

Keep your manufacturer fully understanded of your requirements. The rule to follow for a BOM sheet must be to be as detailed as possible! Make sure your communication with the manufacturer is accurate and detailed. Including the smallest details such as the maximum voltage on the capacitor to be clear and ensure that no ambiguity leads to problems in subsequent production.

Labels / Remarks

Remarks are an essential aspect of the bill of materials. For some of the part types required for your product, substitutes can be found as long as they meet a wide range of specifications. When certain parts are temporarily out of stock, you can make a note to use alternative materials for a specific part type.

Ensure real-time updates

Keep a close eye on these changes and confirm the latest form in a timely manner. You may want to keep track of the reasons for changes to the BOM sheet and the possible implications, you can keep different versions of the BOM sheet. Remember to always give your manufacturer the latest BOM sheet! This is vital!

Summary

Developing an accurate and detailed bill of materials is a very important step in the PCB manufacturing process. By optimizing your BOM, you can avoid errors, sometimes a small mistake can be costly! The BOM list also helps you to correctly forecast the manufacturing and time costs of PCB manufacturing, by communicating in detail with your manufacturer to ensure that the BOM list is accurate and efficient.

KingPCB provides high-quality and defect-free PCB prototype assembly and manufacturing to customer requirements. Visit us to find out more about our PCB prototyping services, contact us to stay in touch!