Creating a component

Add a new component with specifications, material, and manufacturing method.

Why components matter

Components are the building blocks of your products, projects, and orders. Everything—from Bills of Materials (BOMs) to supplier cost comparisons—depends on well-defined components. A clean component library keeps your organisation aligned, helps avoid duplication, and ensures smoother procurement and manufacturing workflows.

This guide walks you through how to create a component using the Laminar UI, what each field means, and how to avoid common data issues.

Where component creation begins

The fastest and most consistent way to create a component is through the New menu in the top bar.

  1. Look at the top bar inside Laminar.
  2. Click the New button.
  3. A two-column overlay opens with all available creation shortcuts.
  4. Select Component from the list.

Laminar will take you directly to the component creation screen at the route:

/components/create

This works no matter where you are—Orders, Suppliers, BOMs, Projects—ensuring you never need to navigate back to the Components module manually.

Tip Always use the New menu when creating items. It’s the most reliable way to stay consistent across modules.

Understanding the Component Creation page

The component creation form is designed to be clear and minimal so that you can add new parts quickly without scrolling through overly long forms.

Typical sections include:

  1. Basic Details
  2. Specifications
  3. Dimensions & Weight (optional)
  4. Attachments (if enabled in your setup)

Each section is structured to keep inputs simple while still capturing the details your organisation likely needs.

Basic Details

This is the first and most important section.

Name

Required. Enter the full name of the component. Use names that are descriptive enough for others to recognise instantly.

Examples:

  • “Stainless Steel Bolt M8 x 25mm”
  • “ABS Housing – Control Unit”
  • “Motor Assembly – 24V”

Avoid abbreviations unless your organisation commonly uses them.

SKU (Optional)

If your organisation uses SKU numbers internally, enter them here. This field is optional, so you can leave it blank if not applicable.

Tip Use consistent naming for similar components so they appear together in global search.

Specifications

Components in Laminar include a structured set of specification fields to help classify them correctly.

Material (Required)

Choose from the predefined list of materials (configured by your organisation). Examples may include:

  • Steel
  • Aluminium
  • ABS
  • Copper
  • Acrylic
  • Nylon

Select the option that most accurately reflects the component’s primary material.

Manufacturing Method (Required)

Select the method used to produce the component. Examples include:

  • CNC Machining
  • Injection Molding
  • Casting
  • 3D Printing
  • Laser Cutting
  • Sheet Metal Forming

These classifications help downstream teams understand fabrication needs, sourcing options, and cost patterns.

Note These values are predefined and standardised across the system. If you need new ones, your admin may add them in future updates.

Dimensions & Weight (Optional)

Not all components require specific dimensions. But when they do, Laminar provides optional fields:

  • Length
  • Width
  • Height
  • Weight

Use these fields only if the information is relevant and standardised. This data helps with BOM calculations, shipping estimates, and storage.

Tip If the component has multiple variants, consider naming each variant separately rather than packing too much detail into dimensions.

Attachments (If enabled)

Your Laminar instance may support uploading reference documents for components. These often include:

  • Technical drawings
  • Datasheets
  • CAD exports
  • Manufacturer specifications
  • Quality inspection notes

To add an attachment:

  1. Click Upload.
  2. Select the file.
  3. Confirm the upload.

You can remove or replace attachments later from the component’s detail page.

Saving the new component

When you’re ready:

  1. Scroll to the bottom.
  2. Click Save.

Laminar will:

  • Create the component
  • Redirect you to its detail page
  • Make it available across the system instantly

From this point on, the component can be:

  • Added to BOMs
  • Linked to suppliers
  • Referenced in orders
  • Found through global search
  • Viewed and edited by other users (depending on roles)

What happens after creation

After saving:

  • The component appears in the Components list
  • Global search immediately includes it
  • Projects, orders, BOMs, and supplier workflows can reference it
  • You (or teammates) can attach additional documents later
  • You can edit the component at any time

Nothing is locked, and changes are safe—updates don’t affect historical records.

Avoiding duplicates

A clean component library is essential. Before creating a new part:

  • Search by partial name (“m8”, “housing”, “bearing”)
  • Look for existing variants (“Bolt – SS – M8x25”, “Bolt – SS – M8x30”)
  • Confirm whether someone has already created a similar item

If you discover a near-duplicate, consider editing the existing component for accuracy rather than adding another entry.

When to create a new component

Create a new component when:

  • A project introduces a unique new part
  • A supplier provides a new specification or model
  • A part is different enough from existing components that treating it separately avoids confusion
  • You need clear traceability for BOMs or orders

If unsure, consult your team so everyone uses consistent naming and classification.

Editing after creation

You can edit any component after creating it:

  1. Open the component’s detail page
  2. Click Edit
  3. Update fields as needed
  4. Save

Editing is safe and will not disrupt:

  • Existing BOMs
  • Orders
  • Links to suppliers
  • Attachments

Laminar preserves historical information while letting you maintain accuracy.

Best practices for creating components

  • Use clear, descriptive names that anyone can understand.
  • Use predefined material and manufacturing method categories consistently.
  • Add dimensions only when they matter; otherwise leave them blank.
  • Upload datasheets or drawings early to help teams reference them later.
  • Always search first to avoid duplicates.
  • Keep formatting consistent across similar components.

These habits keep your component library organised and easier for all teams to navigate.

Common issues and quick fixes

“I don’t see the Component option in the New menu.”

You may lack permissions. Check with your admin.

“I created a component but it doesn’t appear in search.”

Wait a few seconds—search indexing is instant but may take a moment. Also confirm you're in the correct organisation.

“I need to replace a datasheet.”

Go to the component’s detail page, remove the old file, and upload the new one.

“Can I delete a component?”

Your organisation’s role policies determine deletion access. Most teams avoid deletion to maintain traceability.

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