Discrete Manufacturing
Discrete manufacturing is the production of distinct, individually countable products assembled from component parts. The output is a finished good that can be disassembled, reworked, or traced to its individual components. Aerospace, automotive, electronics, medical devices, and industrial equipment are canonical discrete manufacturing industries. The engineering bill of materials (eBOM) is the central data structure governing product definition.
Why it matters
Understanding that your products are discrete-manufactured is the first prerequisite for a valid PLM evaluation. Discrete manufacturing PLM is optimized for assembly structures, part configurations, engineering change management, and serialized traceability—capabilities that are irrelevant or insufficient for process industries.
External References
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Cite this definition
Finocchiaro, Michael. “Discrete Manufacturing.” DemystifyingPLM PLM Glossary, 2026, https://www.demystifyingplm.com/glossary/discrete-manufacturing