TEACHING DESIGN FOR ASSEMBLY USING PRODUCT DISASSEMBLY

This paper describes an effective pedagogical approach to teaching des ign for assembly (DFA). DFA is a well-established technique for reduci ng the difficulty of assembling a product through identifying design c hanges. DFA has significant direct and indirect benefits to reducing t he manufacturing cost of a product, improving its reliability and ease of service, and simplifying the entire manufacturing system. The peda gogical approach described emphasizes hands-on learning. The hands-on activities arise through exposing students to the concepts of DFA thro ugh disassembling industrial products. The approach includes lectures, a laboratory, and an examination. The educational material is appropr iate for mechanical, industrial, manufacturing, or interdisciplinary e ngineering education.