Training options
DFMA Forum On-Demand
Expert sessions covering DFMA methodology, real-world case studies, and software demonstrations. Watch anytime, at your own pace.
- Expert presentations with downloadable slides & papers
- Covers DFA, DFM, should-costing, and real redesigns
- Great for engineers, sourcing, and ops leaders
- Certificate of Attendance included
DFMA Core Training
Two-day course at Boothroyd Dewhurst's office. Covers DFA part-count analysis, DFM should-cost estimation, and the full DFMA redesign workflow — with maximum hands-on time with the software.
- Day 1: DFA — minimum part criteria, assembly analysis, redesign
- Day 2: DFM — concurrent costing, CAD integration, total cost
- Participants work in the software throughout
- No prerequisite — starts from fundamentals
Implementation Workshop
Chris Tsai, BDI's Director of Implementation Services, leads hands-on DFMA sessions tailored to your assemblies, drawings, and cost targets. Aligns design, sourcing, and manufacturing around your actual products.
- Led by Chris Tsai — 35+ years of engineering and DFMA experience
- Custom agenda built around your products
- At your facility or delivered virtually
- Workshop materials and attendance letters included
Core Training agenda
DFMA Core Training covers the requirements needed to successfully analyze product designs using the Boothroyd Dewhurst methodology. Using BDI's Design for Manufacture and Assembly software, emphasis is placed on using the DFMA design philosophy in the design and redesign process.
- Introduction to DFMA® methodology
- DFA questions and the minimum part criteria
- Sample hand calculation of a small assembly
- Analysis of a small assembly using DFA software
- Review software output and interpret results
- Redesign analysis of the sample assembly
- Investigation of the Item and Operation libraries
- Introduction to DFM Concurrent Costing
- DFM Concurrent Costing software example
- Using the Geometry Calculator
- Using CAD with DFM Concurrent Costing
- Investigation of Material, Operation, and Machine libraries
- Review of charting and reporting options
- How DFM and DFA work together to develop "total cost"
Skills participants develop
- Functional understanding of the DFA software
- Apply minimum part criteria to identify unnecessary parts
- Use DFA to simplify product structures and reduce costs
- Understand handling/insertion difficulties and part symmetries
- Perform a complete DFM Concurrent Costing analysis
- Use CAD with DFM Concurrent Costing
- Understand piece part and tooling costs from the software
- Navigate and edit Material, Operation, and Machine libraries
Proof of learning
Customers commonly need documentation of DFMA training for internal compliance, professional development, or audit records. Here's what's available with each option:
Certificate of Attendance (PDF)
Certificate of Completion
Attendance letters for all participants
Tip: Many organizations accept these documents for internal training compliance — check with your quality or compliance team. If you need specific documentation formats, contact us and we can work with your requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free DFMA course?
Yes. The DFMA Forum On-Demand library is free to access with registration. It includes expert sessions on DFMA methodology, real-world case studies, and software demonstrations — with a Certificate of Attendance available upon completion.
Is there a DFMA certification?
We don't offer a formal proctored certification program. What we do provide is documentation of learning: a Certificate of Attendance for Forum On-Demand viewers, Certificates of Completion for Core Training participants, and attendance letters for Implementation Workshop attendees. Many organizations accept these for internal training compliance.
What does DFMA training cover?
DFMA training covers DFA (Design for Assembly) principles including minimum part criteria and assembly simplification, and DFM (Design for Manufacturing) principles including process-based should-cost estimation, CAD integration, and cost-driver analysis. Participants learn to use the DFMA software to analyze and redesign products for lower cost and complexity.
What is the difference between Core Training and an Implementation Workshop?
Core Training follows a standard two-day curriculum covering DFA and DFM fundamentals using sample assemblies, held at BDI's office in Warwick, RI. An Implementation Workshop is custom — Chris Tsai comes to your facility (or delivers virtually) and builds the agenda around your products, drawings, and cost targets.
How do we train a team on our own products?
Schedule an Implementation Workshop. Chris Tsai, BDI's Director of Implementation Services, will tailor the agenda to your assemblies, drawings, and cost/assembly goals. Workshops can be at your facility or virtual, and include all materials and attendance documentation. Contact us to get started.
Is there software that automates DFMA?
Yes. DFMA software from Boothroyd Dewhurst automates both DFA part-count analysis and DFM should-cost estimation. It covers 25+ manufacturing processes and includes global costing data for 22+ countries. Request a demo to see it on your own product.
Not sure which option is right?
Tell us about your team, your goals, and your timeline — we'll recommend the best path.
