Mechanical Engineering | Design for Manufacturing (DFM)

Based on various manufacturing processes you will find set guidelines for DFM practices. These DFM guidelines assistance to precisely define various tolerances, rules and customary manufacturing checks associated with DFM.
While DFM is relevant towards the design process, an identical concept known as DFSS (The perception of Six Sigma) can also be practiced in lots of organizations.
Five concepts are examined throughout a DFM. They’re:
- Process
- Design Manufacturing Process
- Material Selection
- Consideration of Environment
- Compliance/Testing
Ideally, DFM must occur at the start of the look process, prior to tooling has started. Additionally, correctly-performed DFM must include all of the stakeholders – engineers, designers, contract manufacturer, mold builder and material supplier. The intent of the “cross-functional” DFM would be to challenge the look – to check out the look whatsoever levels: component, sub-system, system, and holistic levels – to guarantee the design is enhanced and doesn’t have unnecessary cost baked into it.
The next chart provides an excellent visual representation from the aftereffect of an earlier DFM. Because the design progresses with the product existence cycle, changes be costly, in addition to harder to apply. Early DFM enables design changes to become performed rapidly, at the very least costly location.
5 Concepts OF DFM: A Closer Inspection
1 DESIGN MANUFACTURING PROCESS
The manufacturing process selected should be the most appropriate one for that part or product. You wouldn’t like to make use of highly-capitalized process like injection molding that involves building of tools and dies to create a low-volume part that might have been manufactured utilizing a lower-capitalized method, for example thermoforming. That might be equal to utilizing a tank to squash an anthill – a vintage situation of overkill. Let us see what Shaun says about choosing the proper manufacturing process:
In figuring out the manufacturing process, Shaun stated the DFM required into account the amount of parts being made, the fabric getting used, the complexness from the surfaces, the tolerances needed and whether there have been secondary processes needed. You’ll note that lots of exactly the same questions he asks regarding process may also show up underneath the ‘Design’ heading.
2 DESIGN
Design is important. The particular drawing from the part or product needs to comply with good manufacturing concepts for that manufacturing process you’ve selected. Here’s Shaun, speaking about design of your mouse:
Within the situation of plastic injection molding, for instance, the next concepts would apply:
Constant wall thickness, which enables for consistent and quick part cooling
Appropriate draft (one to two degree is generally acceptable)
Texture – need 1 degree for each .001” of texture depth on texture side walls
Ribs = 60% of nominal wall, as a guide
Simple transitions from thick to thin features
Wall thickness not very small – this increases injection pressure
No undercuts or features that need side action – all features “in type of pull/mold opening”
Spec the loosest tolerances that permit a great product – and consult the trade organization for the manufacturing process on which is affordable for your process
Make sure to discuss the look together with your contract manufacturer, who are able to make sure that your design conforms to get affordable manufacturing concepts for that selected process.
3 MATERIAL SELECTION
You need to choose the correct material for the part/product. Within this video, Shaun discusses a few of the criteria which go into that call:
Something qualities to think about during DFM include:
Mechanical qualities – How strong will the material have to be?
Optical qualities – Will the material to become reflective or transparent?
Thermal qualities – How heat resistant must it be?
Color – What color will the part have to be?
Electrical qualities – Will the material have to behave as a dielectric (behave as an insulator as opposed to a conductor)?
Flammability – How flame/burn resistant will the material have to be?
Again, make sure to discuss the fabric together with your contract manufacturer, who might get access to existing materials within their portfolio which may permit you to secure lower material prices.
4 CONSIDERATION OF ENVIRONMENT
Your behalfOritem should be made to withstand the atmosphere it will likely be exposed to. All of the form on the planet won’t matter when the part can’t function correctly under its normal operating conditions.
5 COMPLIANCE/TESTING
All products must adhere to quality and safety standards. Sometimes they are industry standards, other medication is third-party standards and a few are internal, company-specific standards.
Your manufacturer must have ISO-certified testing facilities. Discover: Who’ll provide UL, ETL along with other third-party testing? Which side that testing occur?