Manufacturability
Manufacturing Materials & Processes decisions determine precisely the way a product will be brought into existence. Largely affected by annual production volume and cost consideration, M&P plays a critical role in product function, aesthetics, ergonomics, and sustainability.
Materials & Process Selection
Because M&P makes the product, it factors into every other design decision in the development process. M&P decisions have a direct impact on each of the following:
Business: Cost and time to market
Function: Task performance and durability
Aesthetics: Product appearance, sound, smell, taste, and feel
Ergonomics: Safety, efficiency, and comfort
Sustainability: Every step of the product life cycle
DFX: Design for Excellence
We think of everyone involved in the design, production, use, repair, and disposal of a product as a "product user". Good design is good for everyone, and consequently, good for the bottom line.
DFM: Design For Manufacture - Reduce defects, tool wear.
DFA: Design For Assembly - Reduce part count, assembly steps, labor, and costs.
DFD: Design For Disassembly - Ease of maintenance, repair, disposal, or recycling.
DFQ: Design for Quality - Preventing design errors... by design.
DFR: Design for Reliability - A broken product is no longer a product, it's a problem.
DFS: Design for Safety - A critical part of the product/user system.
DFM/S: Design for Maintenance/Serviceability - Part of product cost and the user experience.
DFE: Design for the Environment - Positive impact on people and places can also reduce costs.
DFU: Design for User-Friendliness - Making the product more desirable and easier to use.
Vendor Sourcing - Materials, Components, and Production
In addition to industrial design, mechanical design, and model making, we can typically do much of the prototyping in-house as well. However, as early as possible during the project, we begin to partner with people and suppliers who have the capability to transition toward high volume production.
Make - Fabrication and Assembly
Metal - Sheet Metal, Welding, and Aluminum Extrusions
Electric - Electronics, Lighting, and Audio
Fabricate - CNC Machining, and Mechanical Assembly
Plastic - Injection molding, Extrusion, CNC Machining
Surface Finish - Painting, Plating, Powder Coating, Decals and Badges
Fulfillment - Packaging, Printing, and Shipping
IP Protection - Patent Search, Patent Application
Newbies! - New Business Startup, Accountants, Insurance, Business Mentors, etc.