DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURING – CONCURRENT ENGINEERING

Bhishman Desai

Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues College of Engineering, Fr Agnel Ashram ,Bandra Mumbai,

Mumbai University,

Suyash Tandon

Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues College of Engineering, Fr Agnel Ashram ,Bandra Mumbai,

Mumbai University,

ABSTRACT

Concurrent engineering is reviving the corporate entrepreneurial spirit. Concurrent engineering is not
another new slogan or concept conceived by productivity improvement experts. Rather concurrent
engineering can be viewed as the revitalization of teamwork, cooperation, and participation in
multifaceted (multifunctional) organizations. In the traditional process of product design, a
sequential approach treats each of the design steps individually without considering
requirements of manufacturing, assembly and other downstream activities in the product
life cycle. The lack of systematic and simultaneous consideration on the impact of design
decision in this area leads to repeated and excessive changes in design and processes. To
resolve this problem, the concurrent engineering approach to product design foresees and
avoids potential design flaws by incorporating design requirements from downstream
activities of the product development life cycle early in the design stage.
This paper shows how the effect of implementation of the Design for Manufacturing (DFM) in product
development process. As stated in the book "Design For Manufacturability and Concurrent
Engineering", Design for manufacturability is the process of proactively designing
products to (1) optimize all the manufacturing functions: fabrication, assembly, test,
procurement, shipping, delivery, service, and repair, and (2) assure the best cost, quality,
reliability, regulatory compliance, safety, time-to-market, and customer satisfaction.
Design for Manufacturability and Concurrent Engineering are proven design
methodologies that work for any size company. Early consideration of manufacturing issues
shortens product development time, minimizes development cost, and ensures a smooth
transition into production for quick time to market. These techniques can be used
to commercialize prototypes and research. Companies that have applied DFM have realized
substantial benefits.