Design for Manufacturing and Assembly

Design for manufacturing (DFM) is design based on

minimizing the cost of production and/or time to market
for a product, while maintaining an appropriate level of
quality. The strategy in DFM involves minimizing the
number of parts in a product and selecting the appropriate
manufacturing process.
Design For Assembly (DFA) involves making attachment
directions and methods simpler.

Ken Youssefi

UC Berkeley

DFM and DFA Benefits

It reduces part count thereby reducing cost. If a
design is easier to produce and assemble, it can
be done in less time, so it is less expensive.
Design for manufacturing and assembly should
be used for that reason if no other.
It increases reliability, because if the production
process is simplified, then there is less
opportunity for errors.
It generally increases the quality of the product for the
same reason as why it increases the reliability.

Ken Youssefi

UC Berkeley

DFM and DFA

DFM and DFA starts with the formation of the
design team which tends to be multi-disciplinary,
including engineers, manufacturing managers,
cost accountants, and marketing and sales
professionals.
The most basic approach to design for
manufacturing and assembly is to apply design
guidelines.
You should use design guidelines with an
understanding of design goals. Make sure that the
application of a guideline improves the design
concept on those goal.
Ken Youssefi

UC Berkeley

Design for manufacturability is the process of proactively designing

products to (1) optimize all the manufacturing functions: fabrication,
assembly, test, procurement, shipping, delivery, service, and repair, and (2)
assure the best cost, quality, reliability, regulatory compliance, safety, timeto-market, and customer satisfaction.

Ken Youssefi

UC Berkeley

Design for Manufacturability can reduce many costs,

since products can be quickly assembled from fewer
parts. Thus, products are easier to build and assemble, in
less time, with better quality. Parts are designed for ease
of fabrication and commonality with other designs.
DFM encourages standardization of parts, maximum use
of purchased parts, modular design, and standard design
features.
Designers will save time and money by not having to
"re-invent the wheel." The result is a broader product
line that is responsive to customer needs

Ken Youssefi

UC Berkeley

DFM and DFA Design Guidelines

Minimize part count by incorporating multiple functions into
single parts. Several parts could be fabricated by using different
manufacturing processes (sheet metal forming, injection
molding). Ask yourself if a part function can be performed by a
neighboring part.

Ken Youssefi

UC Berkeley

DFM and DFA Design Guidelines

Modularize multiple parts into single sub-assemblies.

Ken Youssefi

UC Berkeley

DFM and DFA Design Guidelines

Design to allow assembly in open spaces, not
confined spaces. Do not bury important components.

Ken Youssefi

UC Berkeley

DFM and DFA Design Guidelines

Standardize parts to reduce variety.

Ken Youssefi

UC Berkeley