Hi, I spent a LOT of time on this, some thoughts: 1. About CAD apps not supporting more than one vendor PN per item: So True. CAD libraries are not very good database managers. Not the focus for them. I have a single resistor in my schematic lib, the single standard shape works for 0201 through 100watt. Caps I have 2 shapes, one polarized and on regular. In PCB tools I have standard 0402, 0603, 0805, 1206 and 2515 footprints. So with this small handful of cad symbols I cover what, a couple million parts? All the linkages (Atttributes for library folks) are in a DB. I started with a P&V library long ago and built around it. As P&V closed shop (real shame, it was a great product) I expended my functions am I now and quite independent and don't use P&V now days. The concept of an "Approved Vendor List" for a part idemands an internal part number (or something) that all these Vendor, Manf, Vendor PN and Manf PN can be linked to. And each of those entries need multiple cost entries. (Prices at 1, 10, 100 and 5K for example). If you think that can be built in a spread sheet environment forget it. The selection of a parts based on availability / price is different than defining a part for use in a circuit. Typically two different business functions. And it gets even more complicated when you have one assembly using another assembly. And you want to use "Surrogate Keys" as you build this puppy. This way you can play with changing parts numbers without breaking lists at least in the DB. 2. Engineering data is important just as procurement data is important. There are two big items, PCB Foot prints and datasheets. These are pretty well matched for assigning to a company part number. You need to find thens so search engines are required. 3. Stocking and finding things I do a lot of engineering and might build 25 or 250 boards here and there. I need stock for engineering purpose and then assembly stock. Engineering stock with loose parts is nice but all assemblers want reels. So you end up with multiple storage types. Add to this kits. I typically will build X boards and all those parts go into a KIT. I like keeping track of what was in kits when as when I need a part I often go grab something from a previous old kit. I did a lot of playing with what I call "Sort Codes" for managing the location and storage of parts. Finally got one that seems to work well. If anyone is interested they can look at www.partsync.com. I am delighted to share what I know. Bob K -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Decker, Scott UTAS Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2016 1:58 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [TN] Part numbering, MRPs & reality Ken, Humm, old guy using the "We always do it this way, it works" method... Well, it seems that ECAD designers are all the old guys, (self-included) these days according to the surveys that say the industry is growing old with less "new / younger" ways... :-) Anyway, to your question and some things to think about. We here, (and at other companies I've been at) started out using parts on BOM's with vendor part numbers to make it easy to order parts, etc. At issue is most, (and I can only speak for the tools we use, MGC) CAD tools don't allow more than one part number per part. Where the trouble comes in is if you use a specific vendor part number on your BOM and you send it to a contract manufacture for assembly and they furnish the parts, what happens when they can't get the specific part you call out because it's on a 6 inch reel but they have 8 inch reels of those parts all over? Or, Kemet is 6 weeks out, but Vishay is stocked at the distributor but the part numbers are not the same? We tried using a place holder to indicate that the CM could substitute the place holder with which ever reel or other "don't care" information but that didn't work either. When assemblies came in and are run through First Article Inspection, the BOM may not reflect the true part number(s) used to build since a different vendor or packaging part number, (which may be 100% compatible with the exception of packaging or some other don't care aspect) was used. You are on the right path in my opinion, to have a company part number issued to each part and allow the company part number to call out all the manufacturer's part numbers or usable number combinations, so that the BOM will always match the assembled board and your component suppliers are covered when it comes to how they are ordered, etc. Every place I've worked at, with few exceptions, has changed their system when they started finding out that CAD systems and multiple part numbers for parts just don't play well together sometimes. Sorry for the long answer, (I'm known for that here... :-) ) but I thought it might help to have a few opinions and experiences from others in your court... :-) Good Luck! BTW, Sounds like you should check into a new turnkey outfit while you're at it??? Scott Decker - Senior Analyst, Drafting & Design Services CID+ - Electronic Systems Center UTC AEROSPACE SYSTEMS 3445 S. 5th Street, Suite 170, Phoenix, AZ 85040 U.S.A. Tel: 602 308 5957 FAX: 602 243 2347 <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] <http://www.utcaerospacesystems.com> www.utcaerospacesystems.com CONFIDENTIALITY WARNING: This message may contain proprietary and/or privileged information of UTC Aerospace Systems and its affiliated companies. If you are not the intended recipient please 1) do not disclose, copy, distribute or use this message or its contents, 2) advise the sender by return e-mail, and 3) delete all copies (including all attachments) from your computer. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. This Document Does Not Contain Export Controlled Technology Or Technical Data. -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [ <mailto:[log in to unmask]> mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ken Barton Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2016 9:02 AM To: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] Subject: [External] [TN] Part numbering, MRPs & reality Greetings TechNet gurus, Just arrived at my present employer charged with creating process for PCB/CCA libraries. We have a turnkey layout vendor, this relationship is somewhat problematic: Wrong footprints & component subs. We have absolutely no correlation with Orcad CIS & our MRP/ECAD system. All board components are using vendor PNs. So, I want to toss this out to all for a reality check: My experience over a wide range of OEMs I have worked for is to issue each component a "Company" 10 digit PN. All critical attributes will be entered & fall into CIS explorer. The MRP/ECAD we have has all capability for handling the mechanical AND electrical assy structures. As my employer is the first time I have seen vendor PNs go on EBOMs & released out into the wild, I've been informed that other huge companies have done the same. Am I just an old guy using the "We always do it this way, it works?" I am willing to hear the pros & cons, has anybody else been in the middle of this? Ken Barton Technical Designer, Vehicles & GSE/ Avionics HW Blue Origin, LLC 21218 76th Avenue S. Kent, WA 98032 (253) 437-5625 x625 <mailto:[log in to unmask]:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the Symantec Email Security.cloud service. For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the Symantec Email Security.cloud service. For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the Symantec Email Security.cloud service. For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________