Automated manufacturability analysis: A survey

In the market-place of the 21st century, there is no place for traditional ‘over-the-wall’ communications between design and manufacturing. In order to ‘design it right the very first time’, designers must ensure that their products are both functional and easy to manufacture. Software tools have had some successes in reducing the barriers between design and manufacturing. Manufacturability analysis systems are emerging as one such tool — enabling identification of potential manufacturing problems during the design phase and providing suggestions to designers on how to eliminate them.