Advanced BOM Structures

1

Variable Phantoms

Combine variable and phantom bills

The strength of a Variable Phantom is that it allows a multiplier to be entered which applies to all the components that make up the bill. This differs from a modular BOM where each answer requires a matching part number. A Variable Phantom requires the use of only one part number, further simplifying BOM structures.

An example would be a remote control flying drone that could have anywhere from two to eight powered arms. The drone arm would be a Variable Phantom, and the number of arms would be specified during the configuration process.

2

Adjustable Raw Material

Define quantities of selected raw material

This provides the ultimate in BOM flexibility by permitting any child component to have its quantity changed when the BOM is configured. This can be important when a material item that is used in fixed quantities for most BOM’s has a few cases when the quantity needs to be selected.

An example would be a commemorative pen set that contains two pen holders and six pens while a countertop pen assortment is composed of a display box and a selectable number of pens. Since the number of pens is fixed in the pen set but selectable in the countertop assortment, a traditional BOM structure cannot be used for both items. An Adjustable Raw Material BOM would support using one BOM structure.

3

2-Dimensional Formula

Permit two values to be used

The advantage of this expansion of the BOM structure is that it permits two quantity values to be entered for a single BOM item during the configuration process. These two quantities define the two dimensions that determine the total quantity of the BOM item. This allows the computation of surface area, the volume, or the weight of constant cross section shapes.

For example, pillar candles may be manufactured with a wick and differing amounts of paraffin wax. The length of the wick is based on the height of the candle. The amount of wax is dependent on the height and diameter of the candles. A 2-Dimensional Formula BOM could be used to facilitate the entry of both the candle height and diameter.

Utilizing these BOM types save valuable engineering time by greatly reducing the number of bills required to build variations of a product, save inventory costs by minimizing stocking errors, and providing a basis for sales order configuration.

Would you like to learn more? Contact us to discuss your questions and applications.