Fujitsu’s DFX Application

Improvements in product design are conventionally made after the start of massproduction, followed by reductions in cost and lead-time. However, in light of the shorter product life-cycles and high-mix/low-volume production of recent years, it is increasingly important to carefully optimize productivity from the initial stages of massproduction. It is generally considered that design determines 80% of productivity. To optimize mass-production as early as possible, design and production engineers are asked to make collaborative efforts in productivity improvement from the beginning of development design. Specifically, assembly and test performance must be evaluated, and then the results must be reflected in the design. These activities are collectively called Design For Manufacturing and Test (DFX). Fujitsu has created DFX guidelines for the manufacturing conditions and production know-how in its factories and for building a structure for reviewing productivity at the development stage. This paper outlines DFX and describes some examples of how DFX has improved various products and increased productivity.