ENGINEERING & DESIGN GUIDE

An Overview of Design for Manufacturability (DFM)

Designing a part that works is one thing. Designing a part that can be made efficiently and affordably is another. That is the essence of DFM.

What is Design for Manufacturability?

**Design for Manufacturability (DFM)** is the practice of designing products in a way that makes them easy to manufacture. The goal is to proactively identify and address potential manufacturing problems during the design phase, which is the least expensive place to make changes.

By optimizing a design for its specific manufacturing process (e.g., CNC machining, injection molding), DFM helps to reduce production costs, improve part quality and consistency, and shorten the overall product development cycle.

A 3D rendering of a sports car, representing the design phase where DFM is critical

Core Principles of DFM

1. Simplify the Design

The simplest designs are the cheapest to produce. Reduce the total number of parts, features, and operations wherever possible. Consolidate multiple parts into one if the process allows.

2. Standardize Components

Use standard, off-the-shelf components, materials, and features whenever possible. For example, use standard screw sizes and standard material thicknesses to avoid expensive custom orders.

3. Design for the Process

Understand the rules and limitations of your chosen manufacturing process. A design that is perfect for 3D printing may be impossible or extremely expensive to injection mold.

4. Specify Tolerances Wisely

Don't over-tolerance your parts. Apply tight tolerances only to critical features that affect function or assembly. Unnecessarily tight tolerances are a major driver of cost.

How We Help with DFM

We integrate DFM into our process to ensure your success.

Automated and Expert Feedback

Instant Quoting Analysis: When you upload a part to our quoting engine, our software automatically analyzes its geometry for manufacturability issues related to your chosen process. It can detect features like thin walls or un-drafted surfaces.
Engineer Review: For every order, our team of experienced manufacturing engineers reviews your design. If we spot an opportunity to improve your part's design to make it cheaper, stronger, or faster to produce, we will reach out to discuss the options with you.

DFM FAQ

What is DFMA?

DFMA stands for Design for Manufacturing and Assembly. It is an extension of DFM that also considers the ease of assembling the final product. This includes principles like reducing the number of parts, designing parts that can't be installed incorrectly, and using common fasteners.

When should DFM be done?

As early as possible in the design process. The cost to make a change is lowest during the initial concept and CAD phase. It becomes exponentially more expensive to make a change after tooling has been created.

Why is DFM so important?

It is estimated that up to 70% of a product's final manufacturing cost is determined by decisions made during the design phase. By investing a small amount of time in DFM upfront, you can save enormous amounts of money and time during production.