Machine Design
  • Resources
  • Members
  • Directory
  • Webinars
  • WISE
  • CAD Models
  • Advertise
    • Search
  • 3D Printing & CAD
  • AUTOMATION & IIOT
  • Robotics
  • Motion Systems
  • Materials
  • Video
  • Data Sheets
  • Topics
    Industry Markets3D Printing & CADAutomation & IIoTFastening & JoiningMaterialsMechanical & Motion Systems Medical DesignRobotics
    Resources
    Machine Design ResourcesWISE (Workers in Science & Engineering)Company DirectorySearch Data SheetsContributeDigital Edition ArchivesCSIA Exchange
    Members
    ContentBenefitsSubscribe
    Advertise
    https://www.facebook.com/MachineDesignMagazine/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/10998894
    https://twitter.com/MachineDesign
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXKEiQ9dob20rIqTA7ONfJg
    Machinedesign 5977 11368ltmotorola 2a 0
    1. 3D Printing & CAD

    Software analysis yields metric for improving product development

    Aug. 6, 2013
    Leland Teschler

    Software normally used to assess the degree to which products are “assembly friendly” is now used to measure whether or not new designs are really improvements over the models they replace.

    Machinedesign Com Sites Machinedesign com Files Uploads 2013 08 11368 Lt Motorola 1
    The software, a tool called Design for Assembly from Boothroyd Dewhurst Inc., Wakefield, R. I., is ordinarily used to simplify product designs by showing designers where to eliminate unnecessary parts, thereby simplifying assembly and lowering labor costs. But new-product development engineers at Motorola Solutions’ Holtsville, N. Y., design center used a calculation from the software called the DFA index as a key measure of overall product design. The index is simply an “ideal” assembly time divided by the actual assembly time. An ideal assembly is one having a theoretical minimum number of parts as determined by the DFA software.
    Machinedesign Com Sites Machinedesign com Files Uploads 2013 08 11368 Lt Motorola 2
    Products in Motorola Solutions’ portfolio, which includes handheld radios and handheld barcode scanners, are analyzed for ease-of-assembly factors using Boothroyd Dewhurst Design for Assembly software.

    Motorola engineers divided the company product portfolio into product families whose members were closely related by their technology. Engineers then figured a DFA index calculation for every product, computed averages for each product family, and ran the same calculation for competing products.

    The resulting metrics served as a yardstick for gauging best-in-class design goals and a way to quantify whether designs were improving. Motorola personnel say DFA data gets compiled monthly and is presented to senior management. A product with a DFA index below target gets attention at all levels.

    Resources: Boothroyd Dewhurst Inc., Motorola Solutions Inc.

    Continue Reading

    Custom Machine Builder Develops Automation Solution That Increases Production Capacity Four-Fold

    5 for Friday: The Power of Collaboration; a Collaboration Around Power; and the Cost of Designing for Reliability

    Sponsored Recommendations

    Schmersal Product Demo: SLC BLE

    Oct. 31, 2023

    Safety Light Curtain Alignment 101

    Oct. 31, 2023

    Schmersal on Machine Safety: Manual Reset

    Oct. 31, 2023

    Please update your browser

    Oct. 31, 2023

    Voice your opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!

    I already have an account

    New

    Custom Machine Builder Develops Automation Solution That Increases Production Capacity Four-Fold

    The Future of Connected Worker Technology and Its Impact on Industrial Training

    Brushed vs Brushless Motors: Which is Best for your Application?

    Most Read

    Brushed vs Brushless Motors: Which is Best for your Application?

    Reliability, Supply Chain Linked in New Survey

    How Much Should a Bolted Joint be Tightened?

    Sponsored

    ULTIMATE BATTERY CARE

    MACHINE SAFETY BACKUP

    communication, predictive maintenance, and safety.

    Machine Design
    https://www.facebook.com/MachineDesignMagazine/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/10998894
    https://twitter.com/MachineDesign
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXKEiQ9dob20rIqTA7ONfJg
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Do Not Sell or Share
    • Privacy & Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Service
    © 2023 Endeavor Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
    Endeavor Business Media Logo