Configuration Design

In configuration design we tend to realize the shape and the general

dimensions of components although the exact dimensions and tolerances
would be finally established during parametric design in later stages.
The configuration design is developed from the functions and it strongly
depends on the availability of the materials and production techniques
that would be used to create the form from the material. Usually the
decisions about the design of a component cannot proceed further
without making the decisions about the material from which the product
(or the components) will be made and the manufacturing process that
will convert a raw material to a functional part of component or product.
There is a close interrelationship among the functions and form and the
dependency between the material and the method of production.
The configuration design should involve the following steps.
[1] Review the product design specifications and any subassembly
specifications developed.
. [2] Determine the spatial constraints that are related to the product
and the subassembly being designed. Most of these constrains
would have been addressed in the product architecture. In addition
to the physical spatial constraints, the constraints pertaining to the
human interaction with the product, products life cycle, and the
constraints related to providing access for maintenance and repair
should also be addressed at this stage.

. [3] Create and refine the interfaces and connections between the
components. Special design efforts are required at the point of
connection between the components. It is necessary to identify and
offer special attention to interfaces where the most critical
functions would finally be carried out.

. [4] It is quite essential to maintain functional independence in the

design of an assembly or the components. It means that changing
 of a critical dimension should affect only a single function.

. [5] Following questions should be answered before the initiation

of the configuration design, [a] can some parts be eliminated or
combined to give fewer parts and components? [b] can a standard
part, assembly or module be used?

DESIGN FOR ASSEMBLY

Design for Assembly is an exercise to facilitate ease of assembly when

manufacturing a component with multiple parts. Obviously, the
reduction in the total number of parts for an assembly has the added
benefit of reducing the total cost of parts in the assembly. Design for
Assembly should ideally be considered at various stages during the
selection of material, shape and processes so that the overall
manufacturability and assembly of the component are facilitated.
DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURING

DFM describes the process of designing or engineering a product in order to facilitate the
manufacturing process in order to reduce its manufacturing costs. DFM will allow potential
problems to be fixed in the design phase which is the least expensive place to address them.
Other factors may affect the manufacturability such as the type of raw material, the form of the
raw material, dimensional tolerances, and secondary processing such as finishing.