Phantom Bill of Material

What is Phantom Bill of Material?

A phantom bill of material (BOM) is a concept used in logistics and production planning to account for components that are not physically built or stocked but are still required for the production process. In other words, it is a way to include virtual or non-existent parts in the planning and production orders.

The purpose of a BOM is to provide a comprehensive list of all the components needed to manufacture a product. Typically, a BOM includes all the physical parts that are assembled or combined to create the final product. However, in some cases, there may be components that are not physically built or stocked but are immediately used in the production process. These components are referred to as phantom parts.

Phantom parts are often used in situations where certain components are not physically assembled but are still necessary for the production process. For example, in the manufacturing of electronic devices, there may be components such as software or firmware that are not physically built but are essential for the functioning of the product. These virtual components are included in the BOM as phantom parts.

When it comes to planning and production orders, the MRP (Material Requirements Planning) processors play a crucial role. MRP processors are software systems that help in determining the materials and quantities needed for production. In the case of phantom parts, MRP processors ignore the phantom status and instead include the component parts in production orders and for planning purposes.

By including phantom parts in the production orders and planning, MRP processors ensure that all the necessary components are accounted for and available when needed. This helps in streamlining the production process and avoiding any delays or shortages of materials.

In conclusion, a phantom bill of material is a concept used in logistics and production planning to include virtual or non-existent components in the BOM. These phantom parts are not physically built or stocked but are immediately used in the production process. MRP processors play a crucial role in including these phantom parts in production orders and planning to ensure a smooth and efficient production process.