I have not read this entire thread, but at risk of showing my lack of
understanding, let me make a few comments. 

--- In [email protected], "Frank Bennett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Adding a vendor part number (VPN) field (F3?) would enable an improved 
> BOM listing.  This field would be optional and would show up in the 
> BOM if present. The advantage of a VPN nails down a symbol and 
> footprint. Selection of a VPN defines a specific footprint while the
> schematic symbol could look like anything the schematic designer likes
> as long as the pinout is consistant. A VPN enables future creation of
> a project (or board) only BOM (or library) and could reference a
> larger company wide parts library (or database). Without this each
> designer potentially re-invents a symbol/footprint library for each
> project.

I'm not sure I follow the connections you are trying to make, but I am
currently using a package that lets me add VPN as well as other fields
to each part on the board.  I have not integrated this into a
database.  The lack of a database connection greatly limits the
utility and can significantly increase the work required to make this
work.  


> Example:
> part #      symbol sect footprint        ref  manufacture description
> ---------   ------ --   --------         ---  ----------- -----------
> DM74LS00N   7400   A    DIP14 (or N14A)  U1
> DM74LS00M   7400   B    SMP14 (or M14A0  U2
> 54LS00W     7400   A    W14B  (or CFP14) U3
> Note: this is 3 separate parts and need separate ref designators
> (Using similiar but different parts can happen)

Like resistors...

> Parts with multiple sections only count as one part in the BOM with
> a shared footprint, the section letter would not be listed. The
> manufacture, description, inventory could be added to a future,
> separate parts database, selector, navigator....

This is where it gets interesting.  One thing you have left out is
that often there is not just *one* part that can be used in a given
socket on the board.  I'll discuss this more below. 

There is also the issue of build (or stuff) options.  A single
schematic can cover several different build specs where some parts are
substituted, added or left off as options.  Its hard to deal with this
without a database.  


> The bottom line is the schematic should be the master controlling
> document...need to swap parts, pins or change footprint? - update
> the schematic and re-generate the netlist.

I don't really agree here.  I can use a 74LS00 (your example above)
from TI or Philips as long as they have both been approved.  The
selection is up to the buyer, the engineer no longer needs to be
involved.  Rather than the BOM including specific manufacturer's part
numbers, many parts need a company part number which then refers to a
number of approved parts. 

When an optional resistor is left off of the board or has a value
change for a slightly different application, again, as long as this is
an approved change it does not need a new schematic or netlist.  The
schematic tools should be flexible enough to support generation of
multiple BOMs from one schematic given selected options.  

> A more complicated parametric example:
> 
> Digi-Key Part Number    FC0603-50BFTR-ND
> Manufacturer Part Number  FC0603E50R0BTBST1
> Symbol:                   R
> Description             RES 50 OHM 125MW .1% 0603 SMD
> Manufacturer            Vishay/Thin FIlm
> Resistance In Ohms      50.0
> Power (Watts)           0.125W
> Tolerance               1/8W  ±0.1%
> Lead Style                Surface Mount (SMD - SMT)
> Case                    0603 (1608 metric)
> Packaging               Tape & Reel (TR)
> Composition             Thin Film     
> Voltage - Working       *
> Temperature Coefficient         *
> Quantity Available      1
> Minimum Quantity        1
> Unit Price USD                  0.91000
> Datasheets
> here there are many resistors with a common shared symbol and footprint
> 
> As a designer why do I want to deal with all this?
> Ans: To make sure the correct parts are ordered, your board is 
> built right, it will work properly and save the company money
> by ordering common parts in quantity from a qualified vendor.

In the above, there is not only a manufacturer's part number field
which will change depending on available parts, but also a disti's
part number which can change depending on the packaging you order,
reel, cut tape, tube, etc.  Then even the disti is included which can
also change (if I am ordering these parts from Mouser, why not give
them the entire order?)  (btw, you are paying too much for your
resistors ;)

The design I just got into prototyping had several last minute part
number changes because of supply issues changing between the engineer
(me) selecting the parts for the final BOM and the buyer (me) placing
the order (about 1 week).  It would be counter productive for
management (me) to require the engineer (me) to change the schematic
just to make things easier for the buyer (me).  

Reply via email to