InDesignLabs service
DFM Cost Optimisation and Manufacturing Support
Convert a working design into a repeatable product that suppliers can manufacture, assemble, inspect and scale economically.
Start a project
A product is not production-ready because its CAD is complete. It must align with real process capability, tooling, assembly sequence, inspection and supplier constraints. InDesignLabs closes the gap between design intent and factory execution through DFM, DFA, cost engineering and manufacturing support.
Reduce production risk without weakening the product
- Remove avoidable tooling, process and assembly complexity.
- Reduce part count, fasteners, labour and tolerance sensitivity.
- Align materials and features with realistic supplier capability.
- Compare quotations on technical scope rather than price alone.
- Resolve trial-part, fabrication and assembly problems without uncontrolled redesign.
What we do
- Design for manufacturing review
- Design for assembly review
- Injection-moulding, sheet-metal, machining and fabrication DFM
- Part-count and fastener reduction
- Tolerance rationalisation and process-capability alignment
- Assembly-sequence and tool-access review
- Poka-yoke and self-locating feature development
- Material and process substitution
- Target costing, BOM costing and should-cost analysis
- Tooling complexity and cycle-time reduction
- Supplier identification and technical RFQs
- Vendor capability and quotation assessment
- Tooling and fixture design review
- T0 and T1 sample evaluation
- Moulding, welding and assembly defect resolution
- Pilot-production and first-article support
- Engineering change control
- Design transfer and production documentation
How the engagement works
- 01
Audit
Review CAD, drawings, BOM, target volume, quotations, supplier feedback and known production problems.
- 02
Prioritise
Rank risks and savings by impact, confidence, implementation cost and performance effect.
- 03
Optimise
Revise parts, joints, tolerances, materials and processes for selected manufacturing capability.
- 04
Industrialise
Align RFQs, tooling reviews, fixtures, inspection requirements and production documentation.
- 05
Stabilise
Evaluate trial parts and pilot builds, resolve variation and control final changes.
Typical deliverables
- DFM and DFA review with prioritised actions
- Revised production CAD and drawings
- Tolerance, material and process recommendations
- Cost-reduction opportunities and BOM analysis
- Supplier RFQ and comparison support
- Tooling and fixture review comments
- Trial-part and pilot-build findings
- Production release and design-transfer package
When to engage InDesignLabs
For teams approaching tooling, transferring a design, facing inconsistent production, reducing cost or scaling from prototypes to repeat manufacture.
Start a project
Share the current CAD, drawings, BOM, production volume, quotations and supplier feedback. We will separate immediate blockers from longer-term cost and scalability opportunities.
Discuss your product