Search Results bom_reference_designators




The BOM_REFERENCE_DESIGNATORS table in Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) 12.1.1 and 12.2.2 is a critical component of the Bill of Materials (BOM) module, which facilitates the management of component-level details in manufacturing and engineering applications. This table stores reference designator information, linking components to their positions on assembly drawings or printed circuit boards (PCBs). Below is a detailed analysis of its structure, purpose, and integration within Oracle EBS.

Purpose and Functionality

The BOM_REFERENCE_DESIGNATORS table serves as a repository for associating reference designators (e.g., R1, C2, U5) with components in an assembly. These designators are essential for:
  • Assembly Instructions: Guides technicians in placing components accurately during manufacturing.
  • Engineering Documentation: Links schematic symbols to physical components in technical drawings.
  • Traceability: Enables tracking of component locations for quality control and troubleshooting.

Table Structure

Key columns in the table include:
  • REFERENCE_DESIGNATOR_ID: Primary key, uniquely identifying each entry.
  • COMPONENT_SEQUENCE_ID: Foreign key linking to BOM_INVENTORY_COMPONENTS, associating designators with BOM components.
  • REF_DESIGNATOR: Stores the alphanumeric designator (e.g., "R1" for a resistor).
  • ASSEMBLY_TYPE: Indicates whether the designator applies to a standard BOM or an engineering change order (ECO).
  • LAST_UPDATE_DATE, LAST_UPDATED_BY: Audit columns for tracking changes.

Integration with Other Modules

The table interacts with several Oracle EBS modules:
  • BOM_INVENTORY_COMPONENTS: Maps designators to component items in a BOM.
  • ENG_ENGINEERING_CHANGES: Supports ECOs by allowing designator updates during revisions.
  • INV_ITEMS: References item master data for component details.

Technical Considerations

  • Indexing: The table is indexed on COMPONENT_SEQUENCE_ID and REFERENCE_DESIGNATOR_ID for performance optimization.
  • Data Volume: Can grow significantly in complex assemblies (e.g., PCBs with thousands of components).
  • API Usage: Oracle provides PL/SQL APIs (BOM_REF_DESIGNATOR_PKG) for programmatic access.

Business Process Flow

A typical workflow involves:
  1. Creating a BOM in BOM_BILL_OF_MATERIALS.
  2. Adding components via BOM_INVENTORY_COMPONENTS.
  3. Assigning reference designators in BOM_REFERENCE_DESIGNATORS.
  4. Generating manufacturing reports or exporting data to CAD systems.

Customization and Extensions

Common enhancements include:
  • Custom validations for designator formats (e.g., enforcing company-specific naming conventions).
  • Integration with third-party PLM tools for bidirectional synchronization.
  • Additional columns for storing metadata (e.g., component orientation, solder type).

Conclusion

The BOM_REFERENCE_DESIGNATORS table is a foundational element in Oracle EBS for managing component positioning data. Its proper configuration ensures accuracy in manufacturing processes, compliance with engineering standards, and seamless integration across supply chain and product lifecycle management systems. Organizations leveraging this table effectively can achieve higher precision in assembly operations and improved documentation traceability.