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DFM: Should Costing Software

Understand cost drivers early and design to target cost. DFM software provides an immediate, thorough view of manufacturing cost drivers and establishes a benchmark for what your product should cost. Explore alternative processes and materials, specify tolerances and surface finishes, and see cost results update instantly. As you select effective shape‑forming processes and refine features, your design becomes cost‑optimized.

DFM Software interface showing should‑cost breakdown
Build defensible should‑costs and compare process alternatives in minutes.

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Why Teams Choose DFM

A Highly Accurate Cost Estimator

Backed by 40+ years of industry practice, DFM quantifies each manufacturing step and its cost contribution. The impact of design changes is reflected accurately—beyond what historical pricing or automated CAD analyses typically provide.

Fast to Implement

Out‑of‑the‑box should‑costing with thousands of processes, materials, and machines. Edit libraries or add operations as needed. Training takes only a few days, and teams become self‑sufficient quickly—no lengthy implementation required.

Dynamic Costing for Speed

Dynamic Costing focuses analysis on the most relevant drivers for each part, delivering fast, precise estimates. Engineers gain early, actionable insight while cost and sourcing teams simplify their workflows.

Built for Concurrent Engineering

DFM introduces cost transparency at concept and early design, aligning design, manufacturing, sourcing, finance, and suppliers to shorten time‑to‑decision and reduce surprises late in development.

Data‑Driven Supplier Conversations

DFM reports the assumptions behind every estimate, enabling fact‑based negotiations. Share the relevant inputs to collaborate with suppliers on improvements instead of relying on pressure tactics.

Competitive Benchmarking

Estimate what a competitor’s product should cost even without CAD or supplier quotes. Compare profiles to guide make/buy, feature trade‑offs, and market positioning.

See Design for Assembly (DFA)

DFMA® Software and Services | Boothroyd Dewhurst, Inc.