Blog

DfX – an integral part of Innokas Medical’s design projects

Project timeline:
months
Service areas:
Product development
Written by
Innokas experts
Various technologyspecialists at Innokas, eager to share their expertise

The aim is to develop products as well as possible – high-quality, reliable, easy to use, and cost-effective to manufacture. However, wishes and goals do not always meet, and some things must be prioritized. With the help of DfX designing, goals can be achieved as desired. What does DfX mean for your product and what are the benefits of DfX design?

What DfX means?

DfX stands for Design for Excellence. The aim of DfX is to develop a product that functions as desired throughout its life cycle. X is the angle the product is designed from.

X can be for example:

  • M – Design for Manufacturing, where the product and manufacturing are designed to be as suitable as possible in relation to production volumes.
  • A – In the Design for Assembly method, the device is developed from an assembly point of view.
  • C – Design for Cost, the goal is to optimize the manufacturing costs with for example production methods, material, and component choices.
  • R – Design for Reliability perspective, the emphasis is on device reliability and long service life.
  • In Q – Design for Quality, the product is made with special emphasis on, for example, visual quality.

In DfX design products are developed by using a set of operating methods, guidelines, and standards.

What does DfX design mean in practice?

In an ideal situation, DfX design is part of the product development and design from the beginning, but it can also be done for an existing product. For example, cost savings can be achieved in materials by optimizing the production assembly or the final testing process of the product.

In DfX designing, for example, manufacturing methods are checked and adjusted, or components and their availability are reviewed. Product assembly stages can be clarified and are the work and quality instructions as well as practices sufficient and easy to use.

DfX design methods include, for example, assembling and disassembling equipment, making prototypes, and analyzes from 3D models or electronic CAD (computer-aided design) images. In DfX design BOM (bill of materials) and testability analyses, process FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis), and product development changes can also be carried out.

Juha-Matti Seppälä, Line Manager DfX, tells about the stages of a typical DfM project:

"In a DfM project, the reviewing is done as early as possible. We produce a DfM feedback report which includes feedback throughout the entire project, from the first review to prototypes and production transfer. Then we go through these observations with the customer point by point and find the appropriate solutions.”

How DfX design benefits the customer?


Primarily, customers can save costs and time with DfX. 70-80% of the total product cost is determined already in the designing phase. By doing designing carefully and predetermined goals in mind, considerable savings can be achieved in the later stages of the product's life cycle.

With DfX design, you can make changes already in the early phase of the project when it is still easy and fast. “When the product is close to production transfer, the change process is more laborious, expensive, and takes more time”, says Juha-Matti.

Juha-Matti lists other benefits he has noticed in his work:

"The quality level, for example, in the proto series has improved. Because of fewer errors in assembly, the customer, and the design team can get faster to core work, such as testing the device’s features.”

"The Innokas operating model, where design and production are in close cooperation has several advantages: we learn continuously, share knowledge and thus develop our know-how all the time. When you understand the other areas requirements finding solutions is easier and faster."

Juha-Matti continues: "When you include a team from production, the knowledge of the product builds up from the beginning. Developing the products further after the product transfer becomes easier. Customers have appreciated this."

Ville Mätäsaho, Head of Kempele Operations, adds: "In Innokas we can take producibility into account in all design projects, regardless of where the product is finally manufactured. The feedback for the design phase comes in any case from genuine production."

Communication is fast and straightforward in Innokas DfX design


At Innokas Medical, DfX design is an integral part of design projects, and our strength is that all functions are under the same roof:

"All competencies are involved: we have software design, mechanics, electronics, and production all in the same house. In addition, we have quality competence. The overall package is our biggest strength. This is a clear advantage for the customer – communication is fast and straightforward", sums up Ville.

Innokas’ long experience in designing and manufacturing demanding devices has brought not only the know-how but also an extensive network of subcontractors. This enables us to make cost savings and improve product reliability already in the design phase. Engineers, manufacturing operators, and procurement specialists all work together with the customer and component suppliers.

The goal of Innokas and DfX design is to design the best product for Your company. When time is valuable and you want to make long-term savings in costs and minimize risks in the future, it is worth investing early in DfX designing.

Lead Magnet: The 101 of medical technology innovation
Download

Ask more about this project

Innokas highlights

Here you can find more of our latest news and insights in this category.

Innokas sustainability report launch

Read more

Introducing Valter Ritso, the new Director of Operations and Leadership team member at Innokas

Read more

Innokas Medical Rebrands as Innokas – Paving the Way for Growth and Innovation

Read more

Innokas highlights

Here you can find more of our latest news, tips and insights.

Getting the best return from prototyping

Read more

Efficient production transfer between factories

Read more

Why contract manufacturing?

Read more

How to find the elusive healthcare-certified software developer?

Read more

Innokas highlights

Here you can find more of our latest news and insights.

Case Terveystalo – Innokas software team helps develop medical software expertise

Read more

Case Nexstim – Familiarity with the sector and flexible operation gives a competitive edge

Read more

Case UKK Terveyspalvelut – Problem-solving skills and customer-oriented operation

Read more

Case MEGIN – Functional brain mapping by solutions based on magnetoencephalography technology

Read more

Innokas highlights

Here you can find more of our insights, news and tips.

No one builds alone – Contract manufacturing took the spotlight at Alihankinta subcontracting fair

Read more

Innokas challenges design thinkers to integrate circular design in healthcare

Read more

Arab Health 2024 – Our take and review

Read more

Innokas highlights

Here you can find more of our insights, news and tips.

Importance of hobbies in work-life balance – Insights from a Software Engineer

Read more

Europe's best – Innokas Medicals senior software engineer heading to Euroskills competition

Read more

Hire an International Student Campaign – Meet Ondra

Read more

Tomi Hugg is the new Director of Design Services at Innokas

Read more
Siberian husky sled running in a snowy environment. Innokas brand green glass theme. Background.

Let's get started!

Contact us and find out what we can do for you.

Contact us