mBOM

MBOM stands for Manufacturing Bill of Materials. It is a structured representation of all components, subassemblies, and materials required to manufacture a product, together with the manufacturing resources and steps needed to assemble it. It differs from the Engineering Bill of Materials (EBOM) by focusing on the production process rather than design intent. The EBOM describes the product as engineered, while the MBOM describes how that design is realized on the factory floor.

MBOM content includes assemblies and components with quantities and units of measure, sourcing type (purchased, produced in-house), packaging materials, and any kitting items. It also records manufacturing routing information such as work centers, operations, sequences, required tools and fixtures, setup times, and inspection points. Some MBOMs also include lead times, scrap factors, and alternatives for different production lines or sites.

MBOMs are typically used by ERP and MES systems to plan procurement, scheduling, and costing, providing a bridge between design data and manufacturing execution. They enable accurate material planning, shop-floor sequencing, and capacity analysis. Variants or plant-specific MBOMs may exist to reflect differences in assembly methods, equipment, or regulatory requirements across facilities.

Creation and maintenance of the MBOM are usually collaborative, requiring input from manufacturing engineers, supply chain professionals, and PLM/ERP teams. Changes to the product design may trigger MBOM updates, and vice versa, with change control and synchronization across systems to ensure alignment with the production process.