Manufacturing & Assembly

Streamlining Manufacturing with Luminous

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Managing manufacturing processes can be complex, but Luminous makes it easier by focusing on two essential elements: unit of measure and bill of materials (BOM). Our platform streamlines how you set up and manage these, so you can efficiently produce and track both raw materials and finished products.

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Unit of Measure Made Simple

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In manufacturing, having flexibility with units of measure is key. Luminous allows you to set up different units of measure and the conversions between them, so you can configure everything in a way that makes sense for your specific needs. This is especially useful when you buy materials in one unit but use them in another, keeping your inventory consistent and accurate.

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Managing Your Bill of Materials (BOM)

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The bill of materials, or recipe, is the blueprint for creating your products. With Luminous, you can easily set up your BOMs, specifying the raw materials and quantities needed to produce each finished item. This makes it straightforward to manage the components of each product.

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Assembly and Disassembly Orders

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Luminous also supports both assembly and disassembly orders:

1. Assembly Orders: Use these to build finished products from raw materials, so everything is accounted for in your inventory as it moves from raw to finished form.
   
   
2. Disassembly Orders: Need to take raw materials back out of a finished product? Disassembly orders let you track those components as they return to your inventory.

Key Takeaways

• Two building blocks: Units of measure and bills of materials are the foundation of manufacturing in Luminous.
• Conversions built in: Set up different units of measure and the conversions between them.
• BOM = recipe: Your bill of materials defines what goes into each finished product.
• Both directions: Assembly orders build finished goods from raw materials, and disassembly orders take raw materials back out.

Example: Buying in One Unit, Building in Another

Say you make candles. You buy wax by the pound, but each candle's recipe calls for ounces:

• Unit of measure: Wax is purchased in pounds and used in ounces, with a conversion of 1 lb = 16 oz.
• Bill of materials: One candle = 8 oz wax + 1 wick + 1 jar + 1 lid.
• Assembly order: Build 100 candles, and Luminous uses 800 oz (50 lb) of wax plus 100 each of wicks, jars and lids.
• Disassembly order: If you need to take jars and lids back out of finished candles, a disassembly order returns those components to inventory.

The Manufacturing Flow, Step by Step

Ready to set it up? These videos walk through each step:

1. Set up units of measure: How to utilize units of measurement in Luminous
2. Add your parts: How to add parts before setting up your BOM
3. Build your recipe: How to set up a bill of materials (BOM)
4. Link it to a finished good: How to attach a BOM to a finished goods SKU
5. Build it: How to complete an assembly order

Want to go deeper? See how cost layers work when completing an assembly order and how auto assembly works.

Tips for Smoother Production

• Set up units before recipes: Getting your units of measure and conversions right first means your BOM quantities will make sense from day one.
• Double-check your conversions: A wrong conversion multiplies across every assembly order, so confirm each one before you start building.
• Keep recipes current: When a product's ingredients or packaging change, update the BOM so future assembly orders pull the right materials.
• Track lots if you need to: If traceability matters for your products, lot tracking works with work orders and assembly orders.

Common Questions

What's the difference between an assembly order and a disassembly order?

An assembly order builds finished products from raw materials. A disassembly order does the reverse, taking raw materials back out of a finished product.

Is a bill of materials the same as a recipe?

Yes. In Luminous, the bill of materials (BOM) is your recipe: the list of raw materials and quantities that go into a finished product.

Why do units of measure matter in manufacturing?

Materials are often bought in one unit and used in another. Setting up units of measure and conversions keeps your inventory accurate as materials move from purchase into production.

Is manufacturing the same as kitting?

Not quite. Manufacturing turns raw materials into a new finished product through an assembly order. A kit groups finished products you already stock and sells them together. See how kitting and bundling works.

Why Use Luminous for Manufacturing?

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Luminous brings clarity to your manufacturing process, helping you keep track of units, materials, and conversions. With easy setup and straightforward management of assembly and disassembly, our platform gives you the flexibility to adapt your production flow as your business needs change.

Ready to streamline your manufacturing process? See how Luminous can simplify your unit management and bill of materials setup - book a demo today!