Design for assembly in manufacturing engineering technology program: Experience and success

Abstract

This paper discusses various aspects and models of how Boothroyd Dewhurst's Design-For-Assembly (DFA) methodology can be integrated into Manufacturing Engineering Technology (MET) curricula. The DFA methodology involves a team that includes all the concurrent engineering disciplines and the stakeholders in the success of the product design phase. Manufacturing engineers usually play a vital role in the conceptual design phase. In order to educate the next generation of manufacturing engineers, we introduced and integrated the DFA methodology into our MET curricula. A detailed description of this model, including advantages and disadvantages, future directions and recommendations, are included. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2010.