Designers sometimes engineer products in such a way that they are easy to manufacture. Design for manufacture (DfM) exists in almost all engineering disciplines, but differs greatly depending on the manufacturing technologies used. This practice not only focuses on the design of a product’s components, but also on quality control and

• Additive techniques: paper-based rapid prototyping, laminated object manufacture

(LOM), stereolithography

• Wasting/subtractive techniques: cutting, machining, turning and abrading

• Shaping techniques: moulding, thermoforming, laminating, casting, knitting, weaving

• Joining techniques: permanent and temporary, fastening, adhering, fusing

• Selecting appropriate manufacturing techniques based on material characteristics (form, melting/softening point), cost, capability, scale of production, desired properties

• Advantages and disadvantages of different techniques

• Design contexts where different manufacturing processes are used

Advancements in 3D printing have resulted in the ability to have a 3D printer at home. Consumers can download plans for products from the internet and print these products themselves.