Key Facts and Current Challenges
Often when products are past the design stage, DfM is ignored. This results in lost savings opportunities that can quickly run into thousands – or even millions – of dollars wasted. Currently many OEMs are not staffed to thoroughly review and implement DfM opportunities to reduce cost and increase quality.
Issues that often result in lost revenue include:
- During the design stage, components are often chosen from existing parts or from arbitrary online sources. Design and R&D teams more often than not specify too deeply, eliminating flexibility and causing supply chain and quality issues during production.
- OEM staffing levels for ongoing DfM activities are lower than they have been historically.
- Engineering resources are generally responsible for DfM activities during design, but rarely after release to production since there are other new products that need focus.
- DfM is heavily focused on hardware, too often not on the opportunities in supply chain, assembly and test processes.
Description of Webinar
DfM is valuable in more than just the product design process. It is rare that there are not improved methodologies or component level enhancements that can be made during the product’s complete lifecycle including service and support.
Efficiencies can be found in the assembly process. Alternate or ‘Open Spec’ parts can be utilized to improve cost or production time. Testing and automation can be designed for efficiency while also resulting in higher levels of quality and consistency. Improvements in the supply chain, including leveraging the CM’s existing supplier base and combined purchasing power or look for common parts across a build. Improvements to product logistics, from packaging to catered stocking programs. Field service improvements, both process and service kit development and management.
We cover examples of these DfM processes and more to show how picking an outsourced assembly and test partner that can provide DfM analysis and suggestions through the entire length of a product’s lifecycle can ensure your product meets quality standards, lead times, and cost goals at every stage.
GMI Solutions is an outsourced assembly and test partner who lives and breathes DfM activities. Everyone from sourcing, to engineers, to our manufacturing technicians are always looking for DfM opportunities. We aren’t just another contract manufacturer. We surround technical solutions that we provide with services and support, and we are extremely responsive to OEMs’ needs. Our team is always able to come up with a solution to adapt our processes and what we do to best support our OEM partners.
