Open source BOM management (for me) | Hacker News Reader

Open source BOM management (for me)

vincentuden.xyz

29 pointsvincent-uden7 comments

I like the idea of having a grid highlighting system, but didn’t see any info on what happens when you have more than 49 unique parts in your current 7x7 grid.

Any plans to allow for multiple unique parts in one cube? And if so, would you prefer to mix like parts with like parts, or mix different part types? i.e. one bin holds multiple types of resistors or one bin holds a unique resistor value and a button

Asking because I’ve tried both approaching when setting up lab spaces, but both systems sort of fall apart without the correct maintenance/tidying_up. Apologies if you answered it in the blog and I just missed it.

Either way, I like the idea of busting out the hammer you know how to use.

While the UI isn't set up for it atm, the database already handles the case of more than 49 unique parts. My idea was to have several of these grids stacked on top of each other in a shelf, so you'd be able to flip through the layers, each containing up to 49 parts.

For my purposes, the bins are small enough that I'm fine with only keeping a single part in each bin. The problem is however related to something I was considering, namely multi-square bins for bigger parts. I decided against implementing it simply to reduce the scope for now, but it is for sure possible.

If I were to place multiple parts in a single square, I'd probably subdivide the bin and keep related parts in each sub-bin. Perhaps resistors in a series of Ohms or resistors with the same resistance but different sizes.

Thank you for sharing this! The part of this problem that I’ve found most challenging over time is keeping quantities up to date. I wonder about a function where you could say “I built 25 of these modules” and it would deduct the quantities for individual parts accordingly (optionally adding an extra percentage for the 0402s you dropped on the floor) Or, while I’m dreaming, a feature that parses a DigiKey/mouser/etc. order (or reads the barcodes on the bags!) and updates quantities for you.

Would also be curious about how best to support different storage approaches, like reels on a shelf etc.

We seem to think in similar tracks! I do have the exact features you describe already. Each BOM that I add can then be searched for and its parts deducted in batches (of for example 25 times the amount of parts are needed per module).

And a BOM can be imported from a csv file exported from a Digikey/mouser shopping cart. Although now that you mention it, re-stocking from such a csv would be a really nice addition.

This looks very appealing. I’m using a google spreadsheet, which also maps to grids in small parts drawers. I will give your software a try.

One suggestion: for smd resistors and capacitors I’m using plastic mini vials:

https://ae-pic-a1.aliexpress-media.com/kf/S69e6442d03074cd0b...

They come in all sizes and if you drill holes in a thick piece of plastic you can arrange them and put them in a single drawer.

Let me know if you encounter any issues. The software is very much a beta program.

Love your idea of using vials. How do you get a controlled amount of resistors out of there? Do you pour them out onto a tray or can you get pliers in there?

I open the vial and tap it slightly so a few fall out. Then I place the on the PCB with paste on the pads. I’m finishing up a high precision impedance meter to be able to sort out capacitors if I mix them up.

One final thing maybe: I stick to the smallest smd size I’m comfortable with: 0805. I keep those stocked and I have a small stock of 1206 and 0603 for repair work.

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