Design for Manufacturability (DFM)

Design for Manufacturing or Design for Manufacturability (DFM) is the optimization of a part, product, or component’s design during the product design stage, when it is easier and less expensive to identify and prevent mistakes or discrepancies to make it less expensive to produce.

DFM occurs early in product development, before tooling and the assembly process, when the product is being designed. The exact process of DFM will depend on what product is being designed and produced. General principles of DFM include designing objects for efficient machining or assembly, standardization of materials and components, reduction of the number of parts, and minimizing the amount of manufacturing operations required through design simplicity.

For any business looking to make money and create products that are profitable, DFM is vital for efficiency, speed, and high rates of production. It is thought that approximately 70% of the manufacturing costs of a product derive from design decisions made in the early design stages, such as materials used or method of manufacturing. DFM therefore has great cost-reduction capabilities. A focus on the design stage, available through DFM, could significantly reduce the final production cost. It can also enable the identification, quantification and elimination of waste or inefficiencies at various points throughout the manufacture and production process.