We’ll give you the best BOM structure you can get, so you get the quotations you deserve.
Here is a link to download a bill of materials template.
You can download a Bill of Materials Template in the link above; you don’t need to provide an email address; click, go to file, and download.
Let’s discuss each tab in the file a little bit.
Table of Contents
OFF THE SHELF PARTS BILL OF MATERIALS
In this BOM section, you’ll include all those parts off the shelf, as the name of the category implies.
Some examples: batteries, USB cables, LCD screens, etc.
Please add a link to the specific webpage where you found the OTS part and provide a Manufacturer’s part number.
CUSTOM-MADE PARTS BILL OF MATERIALS.
If you have an internal-use part number for your custom parts, feel free to add them to the list, but it’s okay if you don’t.
We care that you give us as many details as possible regarding your custom parts.
Size, color, material, finish type and preferably add a photo.
FASTENERS BILL OF MATERIALS
Quite simple, list all the necessary components to keep your product together, screws, tape, etc.
Please add a link to where you got them and the Manufacturer’s part number.
Download Bill of Materials Template to get quotations from manufacturers
PCBA COMPONENTS BILL OF MATERIALS
This is important. Here is where you have to put the most work.
This list will contain all components mounted onto a PCB either by SMT technology or through-hole.
Manufacturers’ part numbers are a must, as are links to the supplier from which you got each component.
In our Bill of Materials Template for PCBA, you’ll find a column named Designator, that’s the number on the PCB, which indicates exactly where a component will be mounted on the PCB.
PACKAGING BILL OF MATERIALS
No product is finished without its packaging.
Make sure you list out all the materials needed for your product’s packaging and give details regarding size, finish, materials, colors, etc.
The bill of materials template we’re providing you with is excellent.
You can specify which components you’re willing to switch for others in the note’s sections and which you want to keep or add any other comment you feel is essential.
So, there you go, that Bill of materials up there will get you the quotes you need from the manufacturers you reach out to.
In your email, don’t forget to mention
- Quantities per order/forecast per year
- PPT Info on your company
- What are your target costs?
- Payments terms sought (only do this if you are very well-established; otherwise it may thin out the field substantially)
By adding that information, any company will be able to determine if they’re the best partner for you or if they’re better off redirecting you to another company.
HOW DO YOU CREATE A BILL OF MATERIALS?
- In a spreadsheet, gather all the components and parts needed for the product
- Create different tabs in the file for different BOM categories
- Start allocating each component or part in the corresponding tab
- For each component/part, fill in all required information such as quantity, supplier, part number, etc.
- Update the document as much as needed.
As you can see, creating a Bill of Material follows a very logical process. First, you have many components and parts and need to organize them.
But, it can, and it will become a highly time-consuming task.
When you were in the prototype stage, got most of your components from Digi key, and 3D printed your mechanical parts, you were not thinking about cost optimization.
When you’re prototyping, a BOM is easier to handle and source.
But, when moving to mass manufacturing, where you have to optimize costs – otherwise, your market won’t buy- and you have to deal with 5 to 10 suppliers, each holding different parts of your BOM at different lead times.
Oh boy, it gets tricky to put together a BOM that realistically works for your project.
So, creating a Bill of Materials is something that anyone can do; you divide a product’s components and parts into different categories and start to fill out information for each one.
But creating a Bill of Materials that realistically adjusts to your budget and time to market also requires expertise and a valuable net of supplier’s connection in the industry.
