Re: PCB version control

On 3/25/2025 4:46 PM, john larkin wrote:

On Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:37:10 -0400, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:
 

On 3/25/2025 11:12 AM, john larkin wrote:
>

Read the BOM.
>
People build airplanes, dams, all sorts of things without difficulty.
>

>
I think I'm just gonna use manufacturer PNs for externally-sourced
parts; having to consult a table to find out PN 4917485 is just like a
bloody 10k 0402 resistor sounds like bullshit to me.
>

 If we used a mpn on a BOM, how would we handle alternate vendors?
 When you see an mpn on your BOM, how do you know what it is? Google
it? It ain't always obvious. It turns out that there are many
different things with manufacturers part number "54"
 We have 1800 BOMs. I wouldn't want to edit 600 of them if I switch
from Panasonic to Murata for a bypass cap.
 We don't consult a table, we just run our MAX program. I can type in a
stock number, a description, or a mfr part number. I can see where any
part is used. Many parts have associated folders with data sheets,
notes, pictures.
 I can do a search for  res++0805++4.99K  and see what we have in
stock. Anybody serious, that has hundreds of parts that they use,
needs a system like this. We have over 8000.

I do have a database of parts I have on hand, mainly for my own sanity when finding parts to prototype something with. I outgrew the organizational limits of just writing categories on drawers in Sharpie a while back, I have too many distinct parts.
But I don't always keep stock on hand of every part that's in a design though, like you I don't breadboard whole designs. A recent design has a 78M05 in TO-252 in it I don't have any myself, I'm pretty confident how it will behave.