Quoted from Flipstream:I'm wondering if there is a communication breakdown between the engineers/designers working on prototype tables and whomever is putting together the table BOMs and assembly line instructions...
In my experience, that is the same person.
As a design engineer, I would specify a particular component from a single vendor. Purchasing could only buy from that vendor. Of course the vendor had to meet the drawing requirements. With more generic parts (i.e. a resistors), then purchasing could buy from a variety of vendors as long as they met the spec requirements. But in the end, totally my call.
My assembly drawings had instructions regarding how hand-placed parts were placed on the PWB. I also wrote the test spec to verify the board was working properly.
In the end, engineers wear a lot of hats!