Keys To Successful Design For Manufacturability

By Todd Owens and Matt Knutson, Donatelle

Design for manufacturability (DFM) can be considered one of the most important elements in designing, developing, and manufacturing a new product at scale.

Executed correctly, DFM can have a significant positive impact on product cost and predictability of the manufacturing process which, in turn, can reduce the risk of quality-related issues and add credibility and robustness to the supply chain for years to come.

Unfortunately, DFM is not always well thought out or thoroughly executed. Or, it lacks alignment between an OEM and the contract manufacturer (CM). Occasionally, DFM is skipped altogether.

This article defines DFM and outlines elements critical to its success, as well as examines challenges common to the DFM process.