How to Implement DFM in PCB Design for Electronic Devices With Minimum Components?

Hi.. I am very much interested in PCB designing. Recently, I have come across a blog about DFM http://www.bayviewmetals.com/blog/manufacturing/what-is-dfm/ on the site of Bayview metals. How can we implement DFM on electronic device manufacturing? How can we keep the components to minimum? Do you have any idea on designing a device with minimum components?

DFM is not just about minimum components, it covers many aspects of a PCB design, from the PCB itself, to the component parts that go onto the PCB, and the rest of the assembly that the PCB will eventually be encased in. That is why when you start your design, you talk to your manufacturing partners before commencing, not part way through. While it is true that a minimum number of components may be a useful criteria, it is only useful if the circuit design has been done thoroughly. Simple example, on the USB data lines, there are quite a few additional components that may be added to prevent destruction of the USB hardware from ESD, does this warrant the additional components and board real estate. Since you have no idea under what circumstances the USB system might be faced with in use, it's often a judgement call, a little less cost or a bit more security, also depends perhaps on if you are an engineer or an accountant,
cheers,
Richard

Great information. Thank you

Hi again,
thinking back to an older project.
I inherited a design that was not manufacturable cheaply. There were two PCBs, one board just had 24 leaded LEDs on it, which were less than a cent each. These had to be wave (or hand) soldered onto the PCB, stand offs and a connector (which are generally the most unreliable part of a design) were needed as well. In discussion with the manufacturers, I decided to go for an all SMD design, so the LEDs would go onto the main board. The only way to do that was to drill holes through the PCB ( a simple step in PCB manufacturing)that would take reverse mount LEDs, The trade off was that the LEDs were a lot more expensive (dollars), but we did away with a PCB and the bits associated with it, as well as another significant manufacturing step, so there was a large saving,
cheers,
Richard