At MicroType Engineering, we specialize in practical design to transform creative ideas into functional prototypes. A proactive approach to optimizing the design and implementation choices based on the constraints of the manufacturing process is Design for Manufacturing (DFM).
DFM is highly useful in helping to identify potential problems and refine manufacturing processes before they create unwanted delays and cost overruns. From brand-new product ideas to upgrades and extensions, DFM helps to streamline all aspects of prototyping and production.
There are five fundamental principles in the DFM process:
DFM helps to improve quality and safety outcomes, reduce time to market, and decrease design and development expenses. This process increases the likelihood of a smooth and hassle-free transition from design to prototyping and market entry.
Along with DFM, you may also be aware of Design for Assembly (DFA) and Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA). DFM ensures efficient manufacturing through considered design choices. DFA refers to product design as it relates to the ease of assembly. DFMA offers the advantages of two methodologies.
DFM is a critical aspect of design, prototyping, and product development because it works with the intrinsic constraints and potential problems of manufacturing. If you want to bring your product to market, it’s important to make design decisions based on the details of the manufacturing process. By creating a development funnel and working backward, you can make the entire process less costly and much more efficient.
DFM is widely recognized for its ability to lower costs and reduce manufacturing headaches. While the path from design to prototyping to manufacturing is inevitable, you can make this process much more efficient. DFM allows you to fix potential problems in the design phase before they exist in the physical world. This process will enable you to avoid issues with raw materials, dimensional tolerances, and processing, among other things.
DFM improves efficiency across engineering disciplines, with the implementation-dependent on the manufacturing process and technology. By approaching the design phase with a working knowledge of the manufacturing process, you can avoid future problems, reduce costs, and increase time to market. Instead of approaching each prototyping stage as a separate process, DFM enables you to integrate the conceptual, functional, and practical realities of product development.
Design problems often lead to revisions and cost overruns during the production process. When a design is created without an awareness of manufacturing, incompatibility problems are inevitable. Rather than dealing with these problems as they arise, DFM allows you to think ahead and plan for the future with all relevant information at your disposal. It, therefore, saves you significant amounts of time and money.
Prototyping allows you to test your ideas, change your designs, and showcase your product without the significant costs associated with full-scale manufacture.
Rather than getting involved with guesswork or wasting money testing designs yourself, you can get predictable functionality and cost projections with a prototype from MicroType Engineering. Our approach is transparent and easy to manage. Because we control everything from design to assembly, we can deliver faster results and provide a cheaper end-to-end solution.
Please contact us and schedule a meeting today.