In an earlier post<\/a>, we looked at machine-specific software provided \u201cfree of charge\u201d, and discussed the hidden costs incurred due to effort duplication and data inconsistencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this post, we\u2019ll look at this issue from a different angle \u2013 the part libraries<\/em> utilized by these machine-specific software packages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Think for a moment about your PCB manufacturing environment, and consider how many places electronic design data is processed with machine-specific software. Now, think how many people in your organization are working in parallel as they import design and bill-of-materials (BOM) files for use in programming the machines. How much effort is being wasted in these duplicated tasks?<\/p>\n\n\n\n With all this data being processed by a variety of software packages \u2013 say, for pick-and-place, inspection, and electrical test machines, can you expect that consistency will be maintained throughout the line? Chances are that it won\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, think about the technical data associated with a specific component. Think how easy it will be for different people to interpret the part\u2019s datasheet differently and to program the part slightly differently. Remember that we are talking about the creation of data for a single part \u2013 and don\u2019t forget about the ongoing maintenance of this data. Changes to the data will be made at different times for different machines. You get the picture \u2013 the potential for design errors grows over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But that\u2019s not all. Until now, we have only considered a single part number mapping to a single manufacturer part number. For many parts, this is not the case. An approved vendor list (AVL) is typically used to allow a single part number to be mapped to more than one manufacturer part number \u2013 each part with its own nominal package size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Surely there must be a better way to manage a parts library?<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the eighth session<\/a> of our series of 12 mini-webinars on Implementing \u201cDigital Twin\u201d Best Practices From Design Through Manufacturing<\/em><\/a> we revisit Valor Process Preparation<\/a> and the Valor Parts Library \u2013 Siemens\u2019 unparalleled database of over one billion components, and how it can be used to streamline your manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Takeaways from the webinar session:<\/p>\n\n\n\n