Design for manufacturing (US Site), also referred to as design for manufacturability or DFM, is the process of incorporating restrictions that may be present from intended manufacturing methods into the product/part models during the initial design stages. This helps reduce the need for rework when a product is ready to be manufactured.

An example of applying DFM is when designing a part of which the intent is to manufacture using injection moulding. Design restrictions such as undercuts, parting lines and mould cavity filling need to be considered prior to a mould being built. If these are not addressed prior to mould building, the potential is high for issues like parts stuck in the mould cavity, poor part quality and very expensive tooling. 

Autodesk Fusion and its extensions offer integrated CAD/CAM/CAE, parametric modelling, design simulation, generative design and toolpath generation, making it an efficient tool for DFM (US Site). Using one or a combination of its features allows engineers to design parts smartly, reducing post-process rework that can result in longer time to market and more money spent.

Autodesk Fusion can generate toolpaths for different manufacturing processes and create machine programs for CNC machines, ensuring a smooth transition from design to manufacturing. The Autodesk Fusion Machining Extension adds additional tooling methods for more advanced machines. 

Generative design uses AI to create various design solutions based on set parameters, helping to choose a cost-effective and manufacturable design. When looking to optimise your part for manufacturability, generative design with Autodesk Fusion can include your manufacturing method of choice into its outcomes. As a result, it will produce outcomes that account for manufacturing method-specific restrictions in the CAD geometry, allowing potential for a quicker design-to-production workflow for the user.