Multimanufacturability

Multimanufacturability refers to the capability of a product or system to be produced using multiple, often disparate, manufacturing processes or technologies. This concept is driven by the desire for increased flexibility, resilience, and cost-effectiveness in production. Instead of relying on a single, specialized manufacturing method, a multimanufacturable design allows for adaptation to different available resources or changing market demands.

The core idea is to decouple the product design from a specific manufacturing process. This might involve designing components with features that can be realized through additive manufacturing (3D printing), subtractive manufacturing (machining), injection molding, or even manual assembly. The choice of manufacturing method can then be made based on factors such as cost, speed, material properties, required precision, volume of production, or geographical location of manufacturing facilities.

Benefits of multimanufacturability include reduced reliance on single suppliers or technologies, the ability to quickly switch production between different locations or factories, and the potential to optimize for cost or lead time by selecting the most appropriate process for each production run. It can also be a key enabler for distributed manufacturing networks, where production is spread across multiple smaller facilities rather than concentrated in a single large one. This approach contributes to a more agile and robust supply chain.