Design for Quality Manufacturability -- An Approach for Improving the Quality of Assembled Products

9313322 Das This project outlines the development of a design for quality manufacturability (DFQM) method, to be used in the assessment of assembled products. This method complements other methodologies which assess handling, and processing manufacturability. The basis for DFQM is a set of common classes of quality defects, and a set of factors which influence the occurrence of these defects. A series of functional equations which derive the likelihood of a defect occurring, on the basis of design data, are developed. The quality manufacturability of a design is defined as the likelihood that defects will occur during its manufacture in a standard plant. This project addresses the eminent need for a methodology that enables product designers to evaluate the quality manufacturability of a design. The availability of such a method not only improves the quality yield of a plant, but also permits a shortening of the product realization process. Both features are critical in improving competitiveness.