A Process from Conceptual Design to Manufacturable Parts in Low Volume Production - Redesigning conceptual designs to manufacturable parts through manufacturing processes and manufacturability theory.

Abstract

This master thesis follows the reiteration of a conceptual design process for an assistive sports equipment product in a low volume production market. The product has been conceptually designed without consideration for manufacturability. This thesis will show how a product can be redesigned for manufacturability through selection of manufacturing processes and design for manufacturability theory. This thesis also includes taking a product to the final stage of setting up manufacturing partners.

Redesigning for manufacturability proved to lower the cost and improve overall design of the product. Implementing manufacturability is as important for low volume production as for high volume production since the design changes are rarer. This thesis results in a manufacturable design of an assistive sports equipment and manufacturing partners. Results proved that the implementation of manufacturability and selection of manufacturing process should occur between the design sketch and conceptual design phase.