10 DFM Rules That Cut Cost

Good DFM is mostly a short list of habits. None of them is clever on its own — the value is in applying all of them, every time.

• 1. Use standard stock sizes where possible
• 2. Design around the tools you actually have
• 3. Put radii on internal corners
• 4. Avoid deep, narrow pockets
• 5. Do it in one setup where you can
• 6. Set tolerances only as tight as function requires
• 7. Reduce part count
• 8. Avoid undercuts that need extra tooling
• 9. Consolidate fasteners
• 10. Design for the chosen process, not against it

Each rule is a small decision that, multiplied across a product, becomes a large saving.