DFM Checklist: 10 CNC Design Mistakes That Inflate Costs (and How to Fix Them)

Common Mistakes When Designing parts for CNC Machining There are a few common mistakes in designing a part for CNC machining that can lead to those higher costs. Using a Design for Manufacturing (DFM) checklist you can avoid these expensive errors and keep more money in your pocket in the long run so today, we will cover the 10 CNC design mistakes to avoid and offer some advice on how to resolve them.

Don't Make These Expensive CNC Design Mistakes

1. Too Complicated A Product Design: The more complex a CNC design is, the bigger the mistake! The complexity also results in a longer machining time, more tool wear and higher production costs. Anything you can do to simplify your design will save in these costs.


2. 2) Tight Tolerance Requirements: Some parts do require a tight tolerance, but often they cost of those tolerance requirements drives up the price of the parts significantly. Perhaps less tight tolerances would suffice to achieve your project goals while spending less on manufacturing.


3. Overlooking Material Selection: If you select the wrong material while designing your part, result could be high machining cost and quality issues. Remember to choose the material that is best suited to your application to help to keep costs under control.

DFM Checklist for CNC Design Essentials

1. Design for machinability: Design For Machinability – When you are designing parts for CNC machined, manufacturability should be a primary concern. Speak with a manufacturing engineer to find out whether your choice of design is applicable to the machining.


2. Optimize tool paths: Time and cost saving ca


3. n be achieved with efficient tool paths. Collaborate with you CNC programmer to look at the most effective tool paths.


4. Reduce Setups: Each setup in CNC adds time and cost to your job. Reducing set up also means reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

Common CNC Errors and How You Can Avoid Them And Save Yourself Some Money

1. Poor Fixture Design: Improper fixture design could result in CNC machining inaccuracies and rework. Spend the time to engineer something robust and sturdy that won’t let you down.


2. Ignoring Machining Limitations: Each kind of machining has its restrictions. Failure to respect these limitations can lead to tool breakage ill-conditioned surfaces, etc., and ultimately to increased costs. Just be sure to work within the limitations of your CNC router strength.


3. Unvalidated Design: Make CNC Machining


4.  sure you’ve validated your design with simulations first before getting to production. Solving potential problems early in the process can be a time and money saver.

A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Design Well from the Beginning: Start with an awesome design that’s both functional AND manufacturable.


2. Speak to Specialists: Don’t be afraid to discuss with CNC machining specialists so that your design can be best fit in for cost-efficient production.


3. Design, Test and Repeat: Prototype your design and test it out in the real world to Die Casting


4.  find out about potential problems. Tweak it as necessary to optimize for efficiency and affordability.

Negative Effects on Efficiency and CostDfM For CNC Design When you utilize DFM (Design for Manufacturing) as CNC design can have a negative effect on both efficiency and cost.

By adhering to the five tips and integrating a DFM checklist into your CNC design process, you can help ensure optimal efficiency and low costs. Just don't forget that simplicity, manufacturability, optimization, are your friend. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can manufacture the quality parts you need at a cost you can afford with Runpeng Precision Hardware.