In this Blog, we’re going to cover our complimentary DFM service that you can leverage when requesting a quote through our platform.
What Is DFM?
Otherwise known as Design for Manufacturing. DFM is a process used to optimise the design of a product or part for the most efficient and cost-effective way of manufacturing. DFM is essential for ensuring that designs will function as expected and can be produced accurately and efficiently, reducing production time and cost.
Geomiq’s DFM Service
At Geomiq we offer a free DFM consultation service to help us better understand your project requirements. You can also visit our Knowledge base for more DFM tips and tricks, from our manufacturing engineers for CNC machining, Sheet metal, 3D printing, or Injection molding.
5 Key Principles Of DFM
The DFM process covers 5 key principles; Process, design, material, environment, compliance, and testing.
1. Manufacturing Process
For DFM to be most effective you must be sure you are using the right manufacturing process for your project.
For Example… if you need to manufacture a high volume of plastic parts, it’s most likely that injection moulding will be your best option. For detailed metal parts, CNC machining is probably the most appropriate process.
The manufacturing process you choose will have a big impact on the final cost and efficiency of your project. Because of that, it’s very important to factor in details, such as materials needed, quantities, and properties of the parts and tooling.
2. Design
Once you have chosen the appropriate manufacturing process you can begin designing your part or product. Remember to consider important attributes related to your manufacturing processes such as wall thickness, textures, surface details, or transitions. It’s important to remember that for DFM the simpler the better – meaning the less difficult it is to produce the part the higher and more efficient the manufacturability will be.
3. Material
Choosing the correct material depends on the use and application of the final part, factors such as heat resistance, corrosion resistance, strength, and flexibility need to be taken into consideration.
4. Environment
Will the part be under a great deal of pressure or force as you would expect in an industrial environment, or… will it be used for more aesthetic applications such as interior decor? You should consider where, and how, your parts will be used.
5. Compliance and Testing
It is possible that based on the application of your parts they will need to follow industry standards such as British Standards or ISO. It is essential to consider all standards and plan for testing to ensure that these standards are met.
5. Other factors That Will Also Affect The DFM Process
A lower number of parts will require a higher startup cost meaning that the cost per unit will increase, the more units you make the lower the unit price will be. Dfm is all about simplicity, the more complex the design is, the higher the chances are of high production costs. How easy or difficult will it be in terms of cost and time to source the materials and components needed? Adding surface finishes, and details such as engraving will also increase the time and cost per unit so it’s important to keep this in mind during the DFM process.
If you have a design ready to be manufactured or require a DFM consultation with one of our engineers, click the link below to request a quote Through our platform.
