Design Simplification

Strive to reduce the number of discrete components, streamline geometric features, and minimize manufacturing operations. A simplified product architecture leads to cost savings, improved dependability, and ease of maintenance.

Utilization of Standardized Materials and Components

Prioritize the use of commercially available, widely sourced materials and standard parts. Such choices lower procurement costs, shorten lead times, reduce tooling investment, and accelerate development schedules due to economies of scale.

Design Standardization Across Product Lines

Apply uniform materials, components, and modular subassemblies throughout multiple product platforms. Standardized designs optimize process efficiency, reduce training demands, and limit the diversity of tooling and fixtures required.

Appropriate Tolerance Specification

Avoid excessive precision unless functionally mandated. Tight tolerances typically necessitate more advanced tooling, longer cycle times, higher skill levels, and increased inspection—each contributing to elevated production costs and scrap rates.

Material Process Compatibility

Select materials that are conducive to efficient processing while meeting design criteria. Optimal materials may not be the least expensive per unit, but instead offer the lowest total production and lifecycle ownership cost.

Collaborative Design with Manufacturing Personnel

Promote early-stage communication between design engineers and manufacturing teams. Joint problem-solving enables solutions that are technically feasible and economically viable from the outset.

Minimization of Secondary Operations

Design with the intention of eliminating non-value-adding processes such as deburring, heat treatment, surface finishing, and excessive inspection. Incorporating features like planar surfaces and accessible datums facilitates efficient processing.

Volume-Appropriate Design Strategy

Match the product’s design attributes and manufacturing method to its intended production volume. Avoid overengineering for low-volume runs or underengineering for high-volume production scenarios.

Exploitation of Specific Process Capabilities

Design to leverage inherent advantages of particular manufacturing methods—for example, exploiting powder metallurgy’s porosity for self-lubrication, or incorporating surface textures directly via molding to eliminate secondary treatments.

Minimized Manufacturing Method Prescriptiveness

Specify only critical functional requirements and avoid dictating specific production techniques unless justified. This approach enables manufacturing engineers to select the most cost-effective and capable processes for implementation.