BOM Visualization (Graph Navigation) and Analysis

Introduction

Efficient management of Bills of Materials is crucial for navigating complex product structures and understanding dependencies. This section explores the BOM Visualization and Where Used features in OpenBOM, which empower users to visually explore and analyze BOM data for enhanced clarity and decision-making.

BOM Visualization

The BOM Visualization feature allows you to view a graphical representation of your BOM, making it easier to understand the product structure.

  •       Go to the BOM Page:

Navigate to the BOM page where your BOM is listed.

  •       Open Visualization:

Before the Part Number, find the “Open Visualization” menu.

Fig 1: Accessing BOM Visualization

  •       Click to view the Visual Product Structure tree.

Fig 2: BOM Tree Structure

The new Graph Navigation feature lets you explore structures either from the top down or the bottom up, starting from any node. You can switch the center node and change the navigation direction. This feature helps you perform “where used” queries from any point and identify all dependencies within the product structure. For example, if you want to know where the item “tud_92620A562” is used, you can see that it is used by “Stnd,” which in turn is used by “06_Tripod.

Fig 3 Where Used

Features in Visualization:

  •       Tree Structure Views: The tree structure can be opened in Vertical (Default) and Incremental views.
  •       Center on Root: Focuses the view on the root item.
  •       Change Root: Allows you to select a new root item for the visualization.
  •       Zoom to Fit: Adjusts the view to fit the entire tree structure within the window.
  •       Zoom In: Magnifies the view for a closer look at details.
  •       Zoom Out: Reduces the view to see more of the structure at once.
  •       Open Item Info Panel: Displays detailed information about a selected item.
  •       Open BOM: Opens the BOM for a selected item.
  •       Open Catalog: Opens the catalog for a selected item.

Fig 4: Visualization Features

Other places where Visualization can be accessed are the Dashboard – Items View.

BOM Where Used

The “Where Used” feature helps you track and understand where a particular item is used within your BOMs, making it easier to manage dependencies and impacts of changes.

  •       Choose the Item in the BOM table:

Select the specific item in the BOM table that you want to track.

  •       Click on “Where Used” Menu:

Access the “Where Used” menu by clicking on it.

  •       A new window “Where used” opens up:

A new window titled “Where Used” will appear, showing the details.

  •       Have the options to view the “Next Level and Top Level”:

In the “Where Used” window, you can choose to view the item usage at the “Next Level” or “Top Level” to understand its placement and dependencies in different assemblies.

Fig 5: BOM Where Used

Conclusion

Harnessing the power of BOM Visualization and Where Used features in OpenBOM provides invaluable insights into product structures and component relationships. By visualizing BOMs in graphical formats and tracking item usage across assemblies, teams can streamline design iterations, identify dependencies, and mitigate risks associated with changes. These capabilities not only improve operational efficiency but also foster informed decision-making throughout the product lifecycle, ultimately driving innovation and competitiveness in your industry.

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