Design for Manufacturability
Design for manufacturability is often thought of as a discrete step between prototype and high-volume production to optimize manufacturability and ensure a product’s ability to scale. Particularly for medical devices, design for manufacturability is far more than the ability to scale—your product’s viability in the market depends upon it.
At Precision Optics Corporation, design for manufacturability has always meant a comprehensive approach to optical engineering: from ideation through optical design and prototyping to metrology and quality assurance, our manufacturing processes are designed to meet:
- Cost constraints, especially critical for consumable medical devices
- Imaging resolution targets, from prototype through high volume
- FDA and MDR EU regulations, including traceability and documentation
- Quality standards, through consistent assembly processes and testing
Starting with ideation, our engineering team works with yours to produce micro-optics and optical assemblies that enable smaller, higher performing systems. Contact us to get started.
What is design for manufacturability?
Design for manufacturability, also known as design for manufacturing or DFM, is the general engineering practice of designing products in such a way that they are easy to manufacture.
During product development, when should I engage with an optical engineering team?
Ideally, Precision Optics can work with your engineering team in phase zero (product ideation) to determine initially achievable specifications and specifications practical for manufacturing, including optical assembly requirements, image resolution needs, and the best process for optical fabrication and assembly.
What are best practices for design for manufacturability?
While there are always trade-offs in optical system design, an experienced optical design team can help you to make appropriate decisions from the start.
As one goes through the design process, have the design forms assessed in early stages by both the design and fabrication teams. Then, as the system becomes more defined, estimate tolerances, and run a Monte Carlo simulation on the effects of tolerance stacking on MTF resolution, line of sight, and depth of field, all of which may require an adjustment to the optical design.
Tolerance analysis of the mechanical design can also provide valuable feedback and can confirm that the tolerances for the opto-mechanical system will satisfy functional and performance requirements as predicted.
Experience makes the difference. Contact our team with any questions about the manufacturability of your optical assembly.