A DFM (Design for Manufacturing) self-check helps you catch the design choices that drive up cost, lead time and scrap before you send a part out for quoting. Pick your process below to load its real, engineer-credible design rules, tick off the ones you've already addressed, and optionally enter a few key dimensions to flag anything outside typical manufacturable limits.
CNC Machining — DFM rules
General DFM guidance only. Exact limits depend on the specific material grade, machine, tooling and supplier — confirm critical features with an mfgiq engineer before you commit a design to tooling.
Not sure a feature will run?
Get a free manufacturability review with your quote — our engineers flag DFM issues and suggest fixes before you cut metal or cut a tool.
DFM checker — FAQ
What is Design for Manufacturing (DFM)?
DFM is the practice of designing a part so it's easy, cheap and reliable to make with a given process. It means respecting each process's physical limits — minimum wall thickness, draft angles, bend radii, tool access — so the part can be produced without redesign, costly workarounds or high scrap rates. Good DFM is the single biggest lever on part cost after material and volume.
Do I need a CAD file or login to use this checker?
No. This tool runs entirely in your browser — there's no upload, no account and nothing is sent to a server. It gives you the design rules and a quick numeric sanity check. For a true geometry-level analysis on your actual model, request a free DFM review with a quote.
Which rule matters most for each process?
It varies: for injection molding it's uniform wall thickness (uneven walls cause sink and warp); for CNC it's internal corner radii and pocket depth (sharp internal corners are impossible, deep pockets cause tool deflection); for sheet metal it's bend radius and edge/hole spacing; for 3D printing it's overhang/support angle and minimum feature size. The tool flags the highest-risk items for the process you select.
Are these limits absolute?
No — they're typical, broadly safe defaults. A skilled shop can often beat them (e.g. thinner walls in a stiff alloy, sharper details with micro-tooling) but usually at higher cost or risk. Treat a "warning" as "talk to your supplier," not "impossible." Material grade, machine capability and finishing all shift the real numbers.