The benefits of Design for Manufacturing in Electronics
Optimization, cost-effectiveness and reduction of expenses are essential tactics for staying competitive in the electronics industry. One of the most effective ways to achieve cost-effective assembly and production is DFM (Design for Manufacturing).
What is Design for Manufacturing?
Design for Manufacturing (DFM) is a ground-up way to be effective in assembly and manufacturing by using streamlined electronics design. DFM is used to specifically optimize devices and components to be cheaper and easier to manufacture/assemble. The design in this approach is done before tooling and manufacturing begins, it’s a holistic process that involves multiple stakeholders (engineers, designers, material sourcing, CMS etc.).
Prerequisites of using the DFM approach
Whether you’re implementing Design for Manufacturing in your own company or partnering up with an outsourcing service provider, there are a few important factors you need to take into account:
- Design team expertise
- Wide spectrum of industry experience
- Software/hardware synergy
- Cost-effective assembly methods (optimization for cost reduction)
DFM requires very experienced professionals, as this approach has more demands than simply effective design. DFM combines cost reduction, high quality and streamlining specifically for the manufacturing/assembly process. A wide spectrum of industry experience (across a variety of device/component types) is a huge advantage as well, allowing for multiple solutions to the same problem. Software/hardware synergy is also important since optimized designs later need to be executed/assembled on the correct equipment and with the appropriate practical methods.
Elements of Design for Manufacturing
DFM is used to avoid cost increases throughout the entire product life cycle. There are four important components to the approach:
- Initial design analysis and deconstruction (alternatively – ground-up optimal design if you’re starting from scratch)
- Considering similar or competing products (their optimization as well as failings)
- Drawing from contract manufacturing experience
- Analysis and research for cost-reduction and optimization
Point #3 (analysis of contract manufacturing partner experience) is one of the biggest benefits of engaging a Contract Manufacturer, as their broad range of past projects allows them to have a better understanding of possible ways to optimize designs. While OEMs may be focused on their own specific area of electronics, CMS providers interact with a wide spectrum of industries and may know design solutions that others miss.
Sourcing, materials, initial design plans, manufacturing methods, choice of equipment and software are all tools used in DFM to achieve reduced costs and better speed while maintaining high quality. Early implementation of Design for Manufacturing into your process is often vital, because it enables you to avoid unforeseen expenses later in the product life cycle.
ABC Assembly is both a design service provider and a partner for effective assembly, which makes us the perfect pathway for OEMs to create optimized designs. We deliver our services from the ground-up, meaning we can offer you a complete package of optimized electronics designs, as well as quick and efficient manufacturing.