An Application of the Design for Assembly Process-The Mechanical Instrument Cluster

One of the major goals of the Design for Assembly (DFA) philosophy is to reduce the cost of a product without sacrificing quality. Mechanical Instrument Cluster assemblies can benefit from this method of design. These benefits include reduced labor, material and warranty costs. Another advantage of the Design for Assembly Process is the flexibility to incorporate automation and further decrease the direct labor costs if the investment is considered reasonable. As an example, similar Mechanical Instrument Cluster Assemblies will be compared to demonstrate the design modifications and the relative cost reductions realized when the DFA philosophy is applied.