Intelligence – Insight – Ingenuity

Design for Manufacture (DFM)

Building commercial confidence through partnership

Helping You to Protect Your Vision

You understand how your product should function and what it should look like – but unless it can be manufactured economically, consistently and reliably, it will never reach its full commercial potential.

Before committing to production tooling you need expert advice to help you confirm whether casting is the right production method, and if so which casting process is most appropriate. That selection will help to define the component design, and to build a realistic, strong commercial foundation for your product. That means involving the right expertise at exactly the right time.

At MRT Castings, we encourage customers to bring us in at the earliest concept stage. This is where Design for Manufacture (DFM) delivers the greatest value.

More Than a Supplier

When designing a cast component, the first steps of the project are vital to smoothing the future path. For a modest, structured fee, we guide you through each stage of development:

· helping you to select the right manufacturing process

· enhancing your design for casting

· ensuring repeatability and consistent quality from the outset

· building a realistic commercial business case for the project.

Designing cast components is a specialist discipline. Draft angles, wall thickness, material flow and the avoidance of heavy sections or undercuts must all be addressed early. With decades of experience, MRT brings the knowledge needed to get this right first time – reducing downstream costs in tooling, machining and assembly.

As you work with us, you will quickly see the value of having an expert that is transparent and direct. Your commercial success is our priority, and with that in mind, we’ll challenge where needed and guide you where it matters most.

Added Value at Every Stage

Design for Manufacture

One housing.
From sketch to shipment.

Follow a single component, a die-cast square housing, through all seven stages of MRT's Design for Manufacture process. Click a stage to jump straight to it, or use Next / Previous to step through in order.

CONCEPT SKETCH Stage 1: Concept
STAGE 1 OF 7 — CONCEPT

Stage 1: Concept

We prefer to get involved early, ideally at the concept stage, before the design is fully defined. Whether you come to us with a finished CAD model or a sketch on paper, we're happy to sign an NDA and get into the detail with you.

Value to youAlign your design concept with the right manufacturing process, fewer assumptions and a clear direction from day one.
MediumPencil concept sketch
ProjectSquare Housing
FocusInternal ribs, mounting posts
NextDFM review
← Previous STAGE 1 OF 7
3D CAD MODEL Stage 2: Design for Manufacture Review
STAGE 2 OF 7 — DFM REVIEW

Stage 2: Design for Manufacture Review

We review your design for manufacturability, checking whether the casting process is the right fit for the part and its design intent. Using CAD and our design expertise, we assess geometry, wall thicknesses, draft angles and potential problem areas before a single gram of metal is poured.

Value to youPotential issues identified early, reducing the risk of costly rework and unexpected expenditure.
SoftwareSolidworks CAD
ProjectSquare Housing
ChecksDraft, wall thickness, geometry
NextSimulation
STAGE 2 OF 7
MAGMASOFT FILLING SIMULATION Stage 3: Simulation and Optimisation
STAGE 3 OF 7 — SIMULATION

Stage 3: Simulation and Optimisation

MAGMASOFT is the foundry industry's most powerful casting simulation software. We use it to validate and refine your design before tooling begins, running multiple simulations to identify areas of risk, including porosity, air entrapment and flow issues.

Value to youAn optimised design that delivers confidence in quality, castability and reliability.
SoftwareMAGMASOFT
AlloyA380
ProcessHPDC
NextTooling
STAGE 3 OF 7
PRODUCTION DIE Stage 4: Tooling Collaboration
STAGE 4 OF 7 — TOOLING

Stage 4: Tooling Collaboration

We work closely with our trusted toolmaking partners, involving them at the design stage to ensure tooling concepts are practical, efficient and aligned with real manufacturing conditions.

Value to youTooling concepts that work in the real world and match the cost and efficiency expectations of your project.
PartnerTrusted toolmaking partner
ProjectSquare Housing
Ownership100% customer owned
NextProcess & cost
STAGE 4 OF 7
PROCESS ROUTE Stage 5: Process and Cost Definition
STAGE 5 OF 7 — PROCESS & COST

Stage 5: Process and Cost Definition

By this stage, we can define the complete manufacturing process, tolerances, machining strategy, finishing requirements and logistics, and build a transparent cost model around it, stable for as long as the design parameters are maintained.

Value to youTransparent costing and a clear, stable scope, exactly what you need to build a business case with confidence.
RouteCast, clip, machine, finish, coat, inspect
ProjectSquare Housing
ModelFixed while design is fixed
NextProduction readiness
STAGE 5 OF 7
FINISHED COMPONENT Stage 6: Production Readiness
STAGE 6 OF 7 — PRODUCTION READY

Stage 6: Production Readiness

Before production begins, we make sure everything is in place for a smooth transition, from final design sign-off to process documentation, quality parameters and supply chain readiness.

Value to youReduced lead times, a smoother production ramp-up and consistent, repeatable quality from the first run.
StatusDesign signed off
ProjectSquare Housing
QAParameters confirmed
NextFull-scale production
STAGE 6 OF 7
READY FOR DESPATCH Stage 7: Full-scale Production and Beyond
STAGE 7 OF 7 — FULL PRODUCTION

Stage 7: Full-scale Production and Beyond

Our relationship doesn't end when production begins. We support you through the production lifecycle by monitoring quality, supporting continuous improvement and staying close to your team as your product evolves.

Value to youA long-term manufacturing partner, focused on your success today and into the future.
StatusIn full production
ProjectSquare Housing
PartnerOngoing, lifecycle support
NextYour next project
STAGE 7 OF 7 Next →

Your success is our success. Let's build it together, however early in the process you are, we're ready to help.

Talk to our team →

Stage 1: Concept

stage 1

We prefer to get involved early, ideally at the concept stage, before the design is fully defined. By bringing us in at this point, we can help influence the right casting approach and avoid costly changes later in the process.  It doesn’t matter whether you come to us with a finished CAD model or a sketch on paper; we’re happy to sign an NDA and get into the detail with you. At this stage, our focus is on listening, challenging assumptions and adding insights that build a strong commercial foundation.

Value to You: Align your design concept with the right manufacturing process, fewer assumptions and a clear direction from day one.

Stage 2: Design for Manufacture Review

image2

We review your design for manufacturability, checking whether the casting process is the right fit for the part and its design intent. Using CAD and our design expertise, we assess geometry, wall thicknesses, draft angles and potential problem areas before a single gram of metal is poured. Where we see an opportunity to improve, we will make sure that you know.

Value to You: Potential issues identified early – reducing the risk of costly rework and unexpected expenditure.

Stage 3: Simulation and Optimisation

image3

MAGMASOFT® is the foundry industry’s most powerful casting simulation software. We use it to validate and refine your design before tooling begins. Multiple simulations identify areas of risk, including porosity, air entrapment and flow issues, allowing us to elevate the design with insight rather than instinct.

Value to You: An optimised design that delivers confidence in quality, castability and reliability.

https:// www.mrt-castings.co.uk/advanced-simulation-techniques-in-die-casting.html

Stage 4: Tooling Collaboration

image4 image5

During the DFM process, we work closely with our trusted toolmaking partners, involving them at the design stage to ensure tooling concepts are practical, efficient and aligned with real manufacturing conditions. This collaboration strengthens the accuracy of our proposals and gives you confidence that what we design can be delivered without compromise

Value to You: Tooling concepts that work in the real world and match the cost and efficiency expectations of your project.

Stage 5: Process and Cost Definition

image5

By this stage, we can define the complete manufacturing process – tolerances, machining strategy, finishing requirements and logistics – and build a transparent cost model around it. This model remains stable as long as the design parameters are maintained. No hidden costs, no late surprises.

Value to You: Transparent costing and a clear, stable scope – exactly what you need to build a business case with confidence.

Stage 6: Production Readiness

image6

Before production begins, we make sure everything is in place for a smooth transition. From final design sign-off to process documentation, quality parameters and supply chain readiness – we cover the detail so you can move forward with certainty.

Value to You: Reduced lead times, a smoother production ramp-up and consistent, repeatable quality from the first run.

Stage 7: Full-scale Production and Beyond

image7

Our relationship doesn’t end when production begins. We support you through the production lifecycle by monitoring quality, supporting continuous improvement and staying close to your team as your product evolves. Even if your circumstances change, you can lean on us for help – after all, we’re already the partner who understands your product inside out.       

Value to You: A long-term manufacturing partner, focused on your success today and into the future.

Underpinned by Relationships and Trust

Collaborative Partnership

Technical Leadership

Commercial Focus

Quality and Reliability

Long-term Success

Designing castings is a specialist skill. Die cast components require specific features such as draft taper, even wall thicknesses, and the avoidance of undercuts and isolated heavy sections. All of these issues can be easily overcome if you work directly with our team before you freeze your design. Costs of machining, surface finishing and assembly can also be dramatically reduced if we are consulted early in the design process.

Notes For Designers of Non-Ferrous Castings Guide - MRT Castings

Contact Us Now

Link Text

Your success is our success. Let’s build it together.

Talk to our team about your next casting project. However early in the process you are, we’re ready to help.

The Process

  • 1
    step1-DesignforManufacture

    Provide us with your design concept so far.  This can be a finished CAD model, or a rough sketch.  We're happy to sign an NDA if required. 

  • 2
    Design For Manufacture Process Image 1

    We will review your designs, and meet with you to fully understand the application and discuss the design and manufacturing options.

  • 3
    Design For Manufacture Process Image 4

    Using our 3 seats of Solidworks,we will optimise your design for manufacture.  We will add taper, gating and ejection points for castings. 

  • 4
    Design For Manufacture Process Image 3

    We will submit our design proposal for your consideration, along with quotations for the various manufacturing options.

  • 5
    Design For Manufacture Process Image 2

    We can manufacture prototypes if required, for evaluation, testing, and marketing purposes, prior to committing to production tools.

Why use MRT for Casting Design?

Manufacturing Expertise

MRT have been manufacturing high quality components for over 75 years.  It's the experience, techniques and tricks of the trade that we have developed over that time that we will share with your designers and engineers to optimise your products.

DESIGN IN QUALITY

MRT specialise in complex components for demanding applications.  Consistent and repeatable components require advanced process control and meticulous design.  We will explain the features needed to ensure excellent finish and dimensional accuracy.

DESIGN TOOLS

MRT operate SOLIDWORKS and FUSION with POWERSHAPE as our CAD packages, alongside MAGMASOFT, the foundry industry's most powerful and respected casting simulation software.  We have resources for producing prototypes for evaluation and testing prior to committing to production tooling.

DOCUMENTATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Where required, MRT can prepare full component drawings, solid models, manufacturing and finishing specifications.

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Take a look at how we work

Find out more information about MRT Castings and get a taste of our facilities.

Check out our virtual tour and find out how we can work with you on your next project. 

Watch our video here
 

HOW can MRT Castings help you?

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