GlossaryKind of term: Manufacturing termDfX (design for X)
What is DfX?
DfX, design for X, is the umbrella term for design principles aimed at a goal beside function, such as manufacture, assembly, cost, test or service.
DfX is a family of design principles in which the X stands for a requirement beside the function. Well-known variants are design for manufacturing, design for assembly, design for cost, design for test and design for service; design for sustainability addresses material choice, reuse and disassembly. Each variant has its own guidelines and checklists. In larger engineering departments a DfX review is often a fixed stage before a drawing is released.
How does DfX work in practice?
For a supplier, DfX usually arrives as a question: will you look at the design, and what would a change save. The earlier that happens, the more can still change; after release a change costs a revision, a fresh approval and sometimes new testing. The engineering department knows the function; the shop knows what a setup, a tolerance or a finish does to time and cost. A DfX review brings the two together on the same part, with a reasoned estimate per choice.
What is DfX often confused with?
DfX is an umbrella term: on the shop floor it usually means DfM and DfA together. Value engineering is something else: it assesses a design on the ratio of function to cost, often for an existing product, whereas DfX is a set of design guidelines per goal that steer the design before it is released. Design for cost is one of the DfX variants, aimed at a target cost.
Frequently asked questions
What does the X in DfX stand for?
The goal you design for beside the function: manufacturing, assembly, cost, test, service or sustainability. Every X comes with its own guidelines and checklists; together they are known as DfX.
What is the difference between DfM and DfX?
DfM is one of the DfX principles, aimed at making the part. DfX is the whole family, including assembly, cost, testability and service.
At what stage of design do you apply DfX?
As early as possible, at concept and with the first drawings. After release a change needs a new revision, fresh approval and sometimes retesting. A supplier brought in at concept can still help remove setups and finishes.
What does a supplier bring to a DfX review?
The consequences of each choice for the manufacturing route: which tolerance adds an operation, which shape needs an extra setup or a 5-axis machine, which finish is subcontracted. With a reasoned estimate for each option, the engineering department can weigh them up.