Manufacturability tools: an engineer's use and needs

The Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) has successfully incorporated design for manufacturability (DFM) as a company philosophy by disseminating several assembly analysis techniques. HP is using the results of this philosophy to help identify future DFM needs. This work contains a history of DFM tools at HP, a discussion of the contributions, the shortcomings of these tools in the electronics manufacturing environment, and some recommendations to designers of DFM tools. For DFM tools to have a significant impact on manufacturing cost, design engineers must use them throughout the design process. The tools should be easy to use and provide the designer with beneficial analysis and advice. >