“Exploding the Bill of Materials”
“Exploding the Bill of Materials (BOM)” is a phrase used in manufacturing to describe the process of listing out all the raw materials, parts, components, and assemblies required to manufacture a finished product. This list is then multiplied by the quantities of each item needed.
For example, if you’re manufacturing a bicycle, your BOM would include all the individual components required to assemble the bike: frame, wheels, gears, handlebars, brakes, and so on. When you “explode” this BOM, you’ll get a comprehensive list that includes the quantities of each item needed to manufacture a specified number of bicycles.
Exploding the BOM is often used in Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems. The MRP system takes the BOM for a product and multiplies it by the desired production quantity. It then checks inventory levels and determines what additional materials or components need to be ordered, and when these orders should be placed, in order to meet production schedules.
Therefore, exploding the BOM helps in detailed production planning and in maintaining efficient inventory levels. It provides a clearer picture of what’s needed to produce a given product and helps identify potential bottlenecks or shortages in advance.
Example of “Exploding the Bill of Materials”
Let’s consider a company that manufactures wooden tables as an example.
A simple Bill of Materials (BOM) for a wooden table might look something like this:
- Wooden planks: 4
- Legs: 4
- Screws: 16
- Glue: 1 tube
This is the BOM for a single table. Now, suppose the company receives an order for 100 tables. To meet this production demand, they will need to “explode” the BOM.
This means multiplying the quantity of each item by the number of tables to be produced.
So, the “exploded” BOM for 100 tables would be:
- Wooden planks: 400
- Legs: 400
- Screws: 1600
- Glue: 100 tubes
Exploding the BOM in this way allows the company to understand exactly how many of each component it needs to produce 100 tables. They can then check inventory levels to ensure they have enough materials, or if needed, place orders to acquire the necessary components.
This process aids in detailed production planning, ensuring that the company can meet its production goals efficiently and on time.
