DBOM vs. EBOM vs. MBOM
Many organizations approach their Bill of Materials (BOM) management differently, but which approach is the right one?
Knowing the difference between Design Bill of Materials (DBOM), Engineering Bill of Materials (EBOM), and Manufacturing Bill of Materials (MBOM), and learning their significance in the product lifecycle management (PLM) process, will allow you to pick the best BOM strategy for your business.
DBOM
The DBOM is the computer-aided design (CAD) BOM created using tools like NX, SolidWorks, or Solid Edge. This is where all design activities take place, including layout control, 3D space reservations, and part deformations. The DBOM is your playground for exploring concepts, iterating rapidly, and making configurations and alternates.
EBOM
On the other hand, the EBOM, often referred to as the Enterprise BOM, Engineering BOM, or even Universal BOM, represents the buildable configurations of the product. Unlike the DBOM, the EBOM is not a 3D representation but rather a 150% BOM that includes all the necessary components—software, electronics, colored parts, documentation, and even non-geometric components like lubricants or packaging materials.
MBOM
The MBOM, or Manufacturing BOM, is more straightforward. It includes all the parts necessary to build the product, but it focuses on manufacturing-specific needs. This could involve parts that are not shipped, like tooling and fixtures, or raw materials. The MBOM often has a flattened structure, reorganized based on how the product needs to be built, rather than how it will appear in its final form.
Challenges of a single BOM system
One of the significant limitations of using a single BOM, whether it is DBOM, EBOM, or MBOM, is the forced compromise between multiple domains. A single BOM system pushes all configurations, and parts—geometric and non-geometric—into one structure. This not only slows the release cycle due to the need for cross-domain approval but also increases the change impact, as multiple domains must interact with any single BOM alteration.
Benefits of separate BOMs
By separating DBOM, EBOM, and MBOM, each can evolve independently, aligning with the specific needs of design, engineering, and manufacturing.
For instance, in the DBOM, design activities are typically bottom-up, involving many levels and multiple design groups. This approach allows for rapid evolution of the product, with limited to no concurrent editing, ensuring that one person or team can maintain control over specific assemblies.
In contrast, the EBOM is more metadata-driven, defining the part rather than its 3D representation. Built top-down, the EBOM can maintain a tight relationship with the DBOM, allowing for independent revisions of each, which is crucial for iterative design processes. The EBOM holds all buildable configurations, feeding directly into the MBOM or systems like ERP or MES.
Role of Teamcenter
Teamcenter plays a crucial role in maintaining alignment between DBOM, EBOM, and MBOM. It ensures accountability across all BOMs, with automated checks to validate that the design and engineering BOMs are properly aligned. This setup allows for independent revisions, ensuring that changes in one BOM do not unnecessarily impact the others. Teamcenter also facilitates the transfer of these BOMs to other systems while maintaining a single source of truth within the PLM environment.
Future of BOM management
This is only the BOM basics and there is much more to explore, such as options and variants management, partitions, and the shift toward usage-based EBOM structures. These advanced topics represent the future of BOM management and are essential for companies looking to stay competitive in an increasingly complex manufacturing landscape.
Separating DBOM, EBOM, and MBOM is not just about maintaining clarity within your PLM system — it is about enabling faster, more efficient product development and manufacturing processes. With the right tools and strategies, like those offered by Teamcenter, organizations can achieve a seamless and fully integrated digital lifecycle, from initial design to manufacturing and beyond.
Summary
- DBOM, EBOM, and MBOM each serve distinct purposes in the product lifecycle, making their separation crucial for effective management.
- Managing these BOMs independently allows for more agile revisions and minimizes unnecessary impacts across domains.
- Proper alignment between BOMs ensures that all configurations, quantities, and metadata are accurately maintained to support efficient product development.
- Advanced PLM systems like Teamcenter facilitate the management and alignment of these BOMs, which drives innovation and maintains competitiveness.
- Understanding and implementing these distinctions in BOMs is essential for streamlining processes and optimizing product lifecycle management.
By Jamie Griffis
Executive Director, Partner | Digital Innovation Services