Operations Management: An Integrated Approach, 5th Edition

FACTORS IMPACTING PRODUCT DESIGN

Here are some additional factors that need to be considered during the product design stage.

Design for Manufacture

When we think of product design, we generally first think of how to please the customer. However, we also need to consider how easy or difficult it is to manufacture the product. Otherwise, we might have a great idea that is difficult or too costly to manufacture. Design for manufacture (DFM) is a series of guidelines that we should follow to produce a product easily and profitably. DFM guidelines focus on two issues:

Design for manufacture (DFM)

A series of guidelines to follow in order to produce a product easily and profitably.

1. Design simplification means reducing the number of parts and features of the product whenever possible. A simpler product is easier to make, costs less, and gives higher quality.
2. Design standardization refers to the use of common and interchangeable parts. By using interchangeable parts, we can make a greater variety of products with less inventory and significantly lower cost and provide greater flexibility. Table 3-1 shows guidelines for DFM.

An example of the benefits of applying these rules is seen in Figure 3-3. We can see the progression in the design of a toolbox using the DFM approach. All of the pictures show a toolbox. However, the first design shown requires 20 parts. Through simplification and ...