Introduction to Bill of Materials (BOM) in Altium

A Bill of Materials (BOM) is a comprehensive list of all the components, parts, and assemblies required to manufacture a product. In the context of electronic design, a BOM is a crucial document that helps streamline the procurement, assembly, and manufacturing processes. Altium, a popular electronic design automation (EDA) software, offers a powerful tool called ActiveBOM to simplify the creation and management of BOMs.

What is ActiveBOM?

ActiveBOM is an integrated tool within Altium Designer that automatically generates a BOM based on the components used in your PCB design. It dynamically updates the BOM as you make changes to your design, ensuring that the BOM always reflects the current state of your project. ActiveBOM also provides a range of customization options, allowing you to tailor the BOM to your specific needs.

Benefits of Using ActiveBOM in Altium

Using ActiveBOM in Altium offers several key benefits that can significantly improve your design workflow and reduce errors:

1. Automatic BOM Generation

One of the primary advantages of ActiveBOM is its ability to automatically generate a BOM based on the components used in your PCB design. This eliminates the need for manual data entry, reducing the risk of errors and saving valuable time.

2. Real-time Updates

ActiveBOM dynamically updates the BOM as you make changes to your design. This means that any additions, deletions, or modifications to components are instantly reflected in the BOM, ensuring that it always remains accurate and up-to-date.

3. Customization Options

ActiveBOM provides a wide range of customization options, allowing you to tailor the BOM to your specific requirements. You can choose which columns to include, specify the order of columns, and apply custom formatting to enhance readability.

4. Integration with Supplier Data

Altium’s ActiveBOM seamlessly integrates with supplier data, enabling you to access real-time pricing and availability information for components. This helps you make informed decisions during the component selection process and ensures that your BOM accurately reflects the cost and lead times of your chosen components.

Setting Up ActiveBOM in Altium

To get started with ActiveBOM in Altium, follow these simple steps:

1. Open your PCB project in Altium Designer.
2. Navigate to the “BOM” tab in the bottom panel of the software.
3. Click on the “ActiveBOM” button to open the ActiveBOM panel.
4. Configure the desired settings, such as column selection, formatting, and supplier data integration.
5. Click “Generate” to create your BOM.

Setting	Description
Column Selection	Choose which columns to include in the BOM, such as part number, description, quantity, and manufacturer.
Formatting	Customize the appearance of the BOM by applying text styles, colors, and alignment.
Supplier Data Integration	Connect to supplier databases to access real-time pricing and availability information for components.

Best Practices for Creating Effective BOMs with ActiveBOM

To ensure that your BOMs are accurate, informative, and user-friendly, consider the following best practices:

1. Use Consistent Naming Conventions

Establish and adhere to consistent naming conventions for components and assemblies. This helps maintain clarity and reduces confusion when sharing BOMs with team members or external stakeholders.

2. Include Relevant Information

Ensure that your BOM includes all the necessary information required for procurement, assembly, and manufacturing. This may include part numbers, descriptions, quantities, manufacturers, and supplier data.

3. Organize Components Logically

Arrange components in a logical order within the BOM, such as grouping them by type or function. This makes it easier to navigate the BOM and locate specific components.

4. Verify Accuracy

Double-check the accuracy of your BOM before finalizing it. Ensure that all components are listed correctly, quantities are accurate, and supplier data is up-to-date.

5. Collaborate with Stakeholders

Collaborate with relevant stakeholders, such as procurement teams, manufacturers, and assemblers, to gather feedback and ensure that your BOM meets their requirements.

Exporting and Sharing BOMs

Once you have created your BOM using ActiveBOM, you can easily export it in various formats for sharing with others:

1. In the ActiveBOM panel, click on the “Export” button.
2. Choose the desired file format, such as Excel, CSV, or PDF.
3. Specify the file name and location.
4. Click “Save” to export the BOM.

File Format	Description
Excel	Exports the BOM as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, allowing for further data manipulation and analysis.
CSV	Exports the BOM as a comma-separated values file, which can be easily imported into other software or databases.
PDF	Exports the BOM as a portable document format file, ideal for sharing and printing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I customize the columns in my BOM?

Yes, ActiveBOM allows you to customize the columns included in your BOM. You can choose which columns to display, specify their order, and apply custom formatting to enhance readability.

2. How does ActiveBOM handle component changes in my design?

ActiveBOM dynamically updates the BOM as you make changes to your PCB design. Any additions, deletions, or modifications to components are automatically reflected in the BOM, ensuring that it always remains accurate and up-to-date.

3. Can I integrate supplier data into my BOM?

Yes, ActiveBOM seamlessly integrates with supplier databases, enabling you to access real-time pricing and availability information for components. This helps you make informed decisions during the component selection process and ensures that your BOM accurately reflects the cost and lead times of your chosen components.

4. How can I share my BOM with others?

ActiveBOM allows you to easily export your BOM in various formats, such as Excel, CSV, or PDF. You can then share the exported file with team members, manufacturers, or other stakeholders via email or collaborative platforms.

5. Can I use ActiveBOM with other EDA software?

ActiveBOM is a built-in tool within Altium Designer and is designed to work seamlessly with Altium’s PCB design environment. While it may not be directly compatible with other EDA software, you can export your BOM in standard formats that can be imported into other systems.

Conclusion

Creating accurate and comprehensive BOMs is essential for streamlining the procurement, assembly, and manufacturing processes in electronic design. Altium’s ActiveBOM tool simplifies the BOM creation process by automatically generating BOMs based on the components used in your PCB design. With its real-time updates, customization options, and integration with supplier data, ActiveBOM helps you keep your BOMs simple, accurate, and up-to-date.

By following best practices such as using consistent naming conventions, including relevant information, organizing components logically, verifying accuracy, and collaborating with stakeholders, you can ensure that your BOMs are effective and user-friendly. ActiveBOM’s export capabilities also make it easy to share your BOMs with others in various formats.

Incorporating ActiveBOM into your Altium workflow can significantly improve efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance collaboration between design teams and manufacturing partners. By leveraging the power of ActiveBOM, you can streamline your BOM creation process and focus on delivering high-quality electronic products to market.