Product Design for Manufacturing vs Build to Print: Which Reduces OEM Costs?

When OEMs come to RB Royal with a new product concept, the conversation of product design for manufacturing vs build to print typically comes up and cost considerations are the pain point of the discussion. 

The ultimate goal is to manufacture a product that’s backed by a sound design and OEMs remaining cost-effective with their outsourced manufacturing. So that leads to the question, between DFM or build to print, which is more cost-friendly for OEMs? 

RB Royal highlights where DFM and build to print have their advantages, which one ultimately reduces costs for OEMs, and a practical rule to follow. 

Why Product Design for Manufacturing is More Advantageous for OEMs 

When outsourcing manufacturing, OEMs are already reducing costs, but there are more avenues to lower the bill. That’s when product design for manufacturing makes sense as it lowers costs from multiple aspects of the manufacturing process. 

DFM attacks material and labor costs as the design is streamlined so OEMs can reduce part counts, consolidate components, and eliminate secondary operations such as welding or custom CNC machining. This impacts the overall BOM. 

When OEMs utilizing DFM practices, it prevents expensive tooling modifications. When the design is correct for product application the first time around, costly tooling rework is removed from the equation and material scrap as well as engineering costs are reduced. 

OEMs can experience their products hitting the market faster when product design for manufacturing is utilized. Rather than focusing solely on the product design, manufacturing constraints are part of the focus and development cycles are reduced which means actual manufacturing occurs and OEMs don’t suffer from increase overhead costs. 

DFM also leads to fewer application failures as the product is designed for specific manufacturing processes and consistent results are achieved in manufacturing through both design and quality control measures. 

When Build to Print Makes Sense 

Build to print in a contract manufacturing is where manufactures are handed all details of a product design including CAD files, specs, schematics and BOMs, and the manufacturer follows the information exactly to create the product. 

When does it make sense to use this kind of design work? Well, when the design work is finalized and priority of the product is predictable, repeatable manufacturing. Build to print manufacturing paths often occur when budgets from customers are bit more cost-sensitive because it simplifies and streamlines manufacturing execution, particularly on low to mid volume outsourcing.  

Where problems occur in build to print manufacturing plans are if the designs are lacking to begin with. Manufacturers can’t make changes to drawings and thus create suboptimal products. 

Practical Consideration 

If an OEM can still change the overall product, choosing product design for manufacturing early and involving manufacturing during conception or first-iteration design is the best route. When an OEM has a product locked, build to print is an easier path but there is a path to factor in DFM concepts and improvements where it’s practical. 

OEM Cost Notes 

For lowest total OEM costs? Early product DFM. 

For fastest execution on a fixed design? Build to print. 

Real-world approach? Build to print for immediate inventory, DFM on sustaining engineering cycle. 

Need Assistance with Your Product Design for Manufacturing? Partner with RB Royal Today 

Since 1942, RB Royal has served OEMs and countless other manufacturers as the fluid transfer systems solution manufacturing company. We started off in Chicago creating brass fittings and have expanded into a turnkey manufacturing solution, now located in Wisconsin. 

Product design for manufacturing is a strength of RB Royal in large part to our Design-ufacturing program. If your team can envision it and design it, our team will produce it. DFM steps at RB Royal take into consideration our multiple manufacturing methods, testing and validation services, and a robust quality management system that’s been continuously ISO 9001 certified for more than two decades. 

Start saving on costs and start practicing product DFM strategies by contacting RB Royal today.