Design for Manufacturability (DFM) is crucial for optimizing sheet metal parts for efficient production. Following these principles can significantly reduce costs and lead times.
Key DFM Principles
- Uniform Material Thickness: Avoid varying thicknesses within a single part to simplify fabrication
- Bend Radius: Use minimum bend radius of 1x material thickness to prevent cracking
- Hole Placement: Keep holes at least 2x material diameter away from edges and bends
- Tolerance Specification: Only specify tight tolerances where functionally necessary
- Standard Features: Use standard hole sizes and bend angles when possible
Cost Impact
Proper DFM can reduce manufacturing costs by 20-40% by minimizing setup changes, reducing scrap rates, and enabling faster production cycles. Our engineering team offers free DFM reviews for all new projects.