MBOM & BOP Process
In the recent past, the PLM process for creating a MBOM relied heavily on manual methodologies. The old approach involved using spreadsheets to manage information from the initial Product Design to defining Assembly Sequence. While the manual method worked for sometime, it had several limitations that made it inefficient.
Knowing the challenges of the old process helps us understand or appreciate the improvements that modern technology brings to manufacturing today.
MBOM & ?BOP Sheet Process:
The process starts with the CAD Structure, which is the design of the Product.
The CAD Structure is then converted into Manufacturing Structure Sheet. This is mostly a Spreadsheet that contains the Parts and Components needed for manufacturing the product.
The information from the Manufacturing Structure sheet is used along with Production Tools such as several equipment, tools or machineries to create Bill of Process BOP or Assembly Sequence Sheet.
This sheet is another spreadsheet that describes step by step process for assembling the Product. The workers can use the Process Plan to get their work done.
Disadvantages of using MBOM & BOP Spreadsheets:
Using spreadsheets make the process slow. It requires more time to enter new data or update existing data. This also increases the chance of human error.
If there is a change in CAD Design, then updating the downstream MBOM or BOP sheets manually becomes very complex task. Keeping all data consistent across multiple sheets can be very complex.
Spreadsheet is not a convenient way of keeping the data for a small or large number of team. Because the tracking mechanism is very complex and also its hard to ensure about the quality and accuracy of the data.
Question : then what is the Solution ?
?The solution is to have improved way of working in the PLM process for creating MBOM.
Improved MBOM & BOP Process:
The process starts with the CAD Structure. The EBOM? can be created automatically from CAD Structure or Design. It can list all the Parts needed for the Product as per the design perspective.
The EBOM can be converted into MBOM. The MBOM detailing the materials, parts & components that are required for the Manufacturing process.
The Process also includes the information about the Equipment & Tooling needed for the Production. This is called as Manufacturing Process Plan or Bill of Process BOP which provides the steps and tools required for to assemble the product in the Manufacturing Process.
Advantages:
The CAD Structure to EBOM to MBOM creation reduces the need of manual data process. It minimizes the human errors.
The changes made to the Product design in the CAD Structure are automatically updated in the EBOM & MBOM. It keeps all data consistent.
Several teams such as Design, Engineering & Manufacturing teams can work collaboratively as they all can access the same set of consistent data.
A higher quality End Product can be manufactured through streamline process & with faster product development.
By implementing this new improved PLM MBOM process, organizations can enhance efficiency, increase the team collaboration and manufacture higher quality products.