Manufacturing the perfect component for your needs often starts as a vision in your head of the final product. Understanding how to take this vision from concept to reality is the challenging part, and that’s where Currier steps in. At Currier, we understand that delivering the best product to our customers doesn’t just happen overnight. By utilizing a thorough Design for Manufacturing process to assist with the development of plastic design projects from start to finish – and keeping our customers involved in every step along the way – we ensure a tested and proven result that exceeds customer expectations.
What is DFM?
Design for Manufacturing (DFM) is an in-depth process intended to design a high-quality product that is easy to manufacture at a lower cost. It occurs at the beginning of product development, well before tooling or assembly are involved. The phrase “Go slow to go fast” is apt here. Taking the time to design a product efficiently catches and prevents mistakes – saving valuable production time while reducing manufacturing costs. At Currier, our team of professional engineers utilizes their knowledge and experience to implement the best procedures for any requirement, leading to better part-to-part consistency and significantly reduced mold costs.
What does DFM entail?
At Currier, we’ve advanced the process of taking our customers’ product designs from the initial sketch to the final production. An idea that seems great on paper may not always be so in reality. Prototyping is an important, hands-on step in the DFM process as it allows a design to be tested to evaluate the product’s safety and usability. Many prototypes can be created and refined to fix any design issues discovered and enhance the product’s function and performance. Currier also provides material selection recommendations as part of this process. With experienced engineers and state-of-the-art technology, Currier has advanced prototyping capabilities.
The DFM process also involves the use of 3D scanners and engineering modeling software. Currier can take a customer’s existing design, quickly recreate it with the 3D Scanner, and then make design alterations to the product’s weight, geometry, aesthetic appearance, and more. We can also scan any object to quickly attain highly accurate and measured data. RapidsWorks software builds a feature tree, breaks down the scanned object into components, and produces a model that is imported into SolidWorks, where it can be used to make renderings and drawings for client review. Overall, Currier’s 3D scanner technology and software programs help shorten product development time, reduce costs, and improve quality.
Another tool to ensure customers get the best possible product is Finite Element Analysis (FEA). FEA works by breaking down an object into hundreds of thousands of finite elements, using mathematical equations to predict the behavior of each element. A computer then adds up the behaviors to predict the behavior of the actual object. FEA can be helpful when selecting the right material and seeing the performance outcome of the product. It’s yet another tool Currier has invested in to ensure its customers receive the best design and, in turn, the best product.
A Satisfying Result
Currier’s dedication to its customers sets it apart from other manufacturers; everything we do is with their success in mind. That’s why our customers are involved from the first design to the final production. When you choose to work with Currier, there are no surprises or shortcuts, only guaranteed satisfactory results. With the most advanced technology, a team of experienced engineers, and a thorough Design for Manufacturing process, Currier sets the standard for high-quality, consistent products you can trust
Ready to get your product from a design to the finish line? Contact us today!
