Design for Manufacturing (DFM) is a methodology aimed at optimizing industrial design to enhance manufacturability and cost-effectiveness. It reduces risks of costly design changes, accelerates time-to-market, and lowers production costs by simplifying designs and standardizing processes. DFM is often combined with Design for Assembly (DFA) into a unified approach known as design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA), focusing on both production and assembly cost reductions.

1. Sources: design4manufacturability.com/DFM_article | synectic.net/3-things-you-need-to-know-about-design-for-manufacturing-dfm
DFM is a methodology for industrial design that produces
dramatic benefits. Here is what you need to know.
DESIGN FOR
MANUFACTURING
(DFM) 101
WHAT IS DFM?
WHY IS DFM BENEFICIAL?
PRINCIPLES AND
IMPLEMENTATION
Design for Manufacturing
(or Design for Manufacturability)
The process of designing parts, components or products to
make them easy to manufacture at the lowest possible cost.
Lessens risk of costly design
changes down the line
Brings products to
market faster
Minimizes setup and
tooling costs
Reduces production
material cost
Decreases production
labor cost
Simplifies and
standardizes designs
Improves design quality
Boosts customer satisfaction
vs.
Sometimes DFM and DFA are combined into a single process
referred to as Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA).
DFM DFA
DFM – Design for
Manufacturing
DFM FOCUS: Reduce
overall production cost
DFA – Design
for Assembly
DFA FOCUS: Reduce
product assembly cost
Unite designers and engineers
throughout design process
Research optimal requirements for
applicable manufacturing processes
— die casting, injection molding, etc.
Look for opportunities to use
off-the-shelf parts
Learn from past and current design
and manufacturing issues
Minimize part tolerance requirements
Minimize number of parts
Design parts with symmetry