Form, fit and function: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Concept in design processes}}

{{inline|date=October 2017}}

'''Form, Fit, and Function''' (also '''F3''' or '''FFF)''') is a concept used in various industries, including manufacturing, engineering, and architecture, to describe aspects of a product's design, performance, and compliance to a specification. F3 refersoriginated toin a[[military setlogistics]] ofto characteristicsdescribe orinterchangeable requirementsparts: thatif are essentialF3 for thetwo designcomponents andhave compatibilitythe ofsame products,set components,of or systemscharacteristics, andi.e. canthey have legalthe considerationssame inshape regulatedor industries''form'', likesame aviationconnections or ''fit'', and defenseperform (e.g.the same ''function'', forthey technicalcan databe rightssubstituted andone configurationfor management)another. <ref name="ECFR252">{{cite webjournal |urllast1=https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-48/chapter-2/subchapter-H/part-252/subpart-252.2/section-252Moore |first1=James W.227-7015 |title=TitleStructure 48,for Chaptera 2,Defense SubchapterSoftware H,Reuse PartMarketplace 252,|journal= SubpartACM 252.2,Ada SectionLetters|date=May–Jun 252.227-70151994 |publishervolume=ElectronicXIV Code|issue=3 of Federal Regulations|page=88 |accessdatedoi=2023-10-14}}<.1145/ref> <ref name="GlobalSpec">{{cite web181468.181473 |url=https://wwwdl.globalspecacm.comorg/referencedoi/60484pdf/20327910.1145/chapter-11-configuration-management |title=Chapter 11: Configuration Management |publisher=GlobalSpec |accessdate=2023-10-14181468.181473}}</ref> <refThe name="NASA">{{citeidea webbehind |url=https://wwwF3 is to contractually require the original manufacturer to provide the customer (US government) with the free use of F3 data so that the customer can [[second source]] the part and thus enable [[competition]] between multiple suppliers.nasa.gov/reference/6-5-configuration-management/ |title=NASAIn Proceduralpractice, Requirements:F3 Configurationis Managementusually |publisher=NASAused |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref>not for final products (like entire [[weapon systems]]), but for the procurement of components and

subsystems.{{sfn|Deets|1985|loc=Abstract}}

TheFFF conceptrefers originatesto ina theset 1960s,of andcharacteristics inor somerequirements casesthat asare form-fit-function.essential <reffor name="DTIC">{{citethe webdesign |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/AD0700066.pdfand |title=Form-Fit-Functioncompatibility |publisher=Defenseof Technicalproducts, Informationcomponents, Centeror |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref>systems, Theand Unitedcan Stateshave (US) Governmentlegal formally recognized itconsiderations in theregulated legalindustries incorporationlike ofaviation Publicand Lawdefense 98-525(e.g., regardingfor technical data rights and designconfiguration changesmanagement). <ref name="USCodeECFR252">{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfoecfr.gov/contentcurrent/pkgtitle-48/STATUTEchapter-982/pdfsubchapter-H/STATUTEpart-98252/subpart-Pg2492252.pdf |title=Public Law 982/section-525 |publisher=U252.S. Government227-7015 |accessdatetitle=2023-10-14}}</ref>Title F348, canChapter also2, referSubchapter toH, thePart ability of a replacement unit or technology upgrade to be compatible with existing systems252, orSubpart be compatible with change control procedures (e.g252.2, NASA'sSection use in reliability via military standards)252. <ref name="NASA2">{{cite web |url=https://nepp.nasa.gov/docuploads/6000C904227-3093-44CA-96A78169BC195A26/Commercial%20Plastic%20Microcircuits%20A%20Total%20Solution%20For%20Military%20Applications.pdf7015 |titlepublisher=CommercialElectronic PlasticCode Microcircuits:of AFederal Total Solution For Military Applications |publisher=NASARegulations |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref> <ref name="DLA1GlobalSpec">{{cite web |url=https://quicksearchwww.dlaglobalspec.milcom/qsDocDetails.aspx?ident_number=69354reference/60484/203279/chapter-11-configuration-management |title=QuickChapter Search Document11: 69354Configuration Management |publisher=Defense Logistics AgencyGlobalSpec |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref> <ref name="DLA2NASA">{{cite web |url=https://quicksearchwww.dlanasa.milgov/reference/6-5-configuration-management/qsDocDetails.aspx?ident_number=67840 |title=QuickNASA SearchProcedural DocumentRequirements: 67840Configuration Management |publisher=Defense Logistics AgencyNASA |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref>

The concept originates in the 1960s, and in some cases called "form-fit-function".<ref name="DTIC">{{cite web |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/AD0700066.pdf |title=Form-Fit-Function |publisher=Defense Technical Information Center |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref> The United States (US) Government formally recognized it in the legal incorporation of Public Law 98-525 regarding technical data and design changes.<ref name="USCode">{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-98/pdf/STATUTE-98-Pg2492.pdf |title=Public Law 98-525 |publisher=U.S. Government |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref> F3 can also refer to the ability of a replacement unit or technology upgrade to be compatible with existing systems, or be compatible with change control procedures (e.g., NASA's use in reliability via military standards).<ref name="NASA2">{{cite web |url=https://nepp.nasa.gov/docuploads/6000C904-3093-44CA-96A78169BC195A26/Commercial%20Plastic%20Microcircuits%20A%20Total%20Solution%20For%20Military%20Applications.pdf |title=Commercial Plastic Microcircuits: A Total Solution For Military Applications |publisher=NASA |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref><ref name="DLA1">{{cite web |url=https://quicksearch.dla.mil/qsDocDetails.aspx?ident_number=69354 |title=Quick Search Document: 69354 |publisher=Defense Logistics Agency |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref><ref name="DLA2">{{cite web |url=https://quicksearch.dla.mil/qsDocDetails.aspx?ident_number=67840 |title=Quick Search Document: 67840 |publisher=Defense Logistics Agency |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref>

== Alternate Uses ==

Some organizations have supplemental considerations for F3. The United States Navy has been using Form, Fit, Function, and Interface (F3I) since the 1970s, and NASA has published references to Form, Fit, Function, and ReliablityReliability to facilitate reliable designs. <ref name="NASA3">{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/nasa_systems_engineering_handbook_0.pdf |title=NASA Systems Engineering Handbook |publisher=NASA |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref> <ref name="DTIC2">{{cite web |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA322079.pdf |title=Configuration Management |publisher=Defense Technical Information Center |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref> <ref name="NAVAIR">{{cite web |url=https://acqnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/NAVAIR-Configuration-Management-Policy-Manual-21-Dec-2016.pdf |title=NAVAIR Configuration Management Policy Manual |publisher=AcqNotes |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref>

== Definitions ==

=== In the Code of Federal Regulations - US Government ===

Source:<ref name="ECFR120">{{cite web |url=https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.42 |title=Title 22, Chapter I, Subchapter M, Part 120, Subpart C, Section 120.42 |publisher=Electronic Code of Federal Regulations |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref> ===

'''Form''' The form of a commodity is defined by its configuration (including the geometrically measured configuration), material, and material properties that uniquely characterize it. For software, the form means the design, logic flow, and algorithms.

'''Fit''' The fit of a commodity is defined by its ability to physically interface or connect with or become an integral part of another commodity. For software, the fit is defined by its ability to interface or connect with a defense article.

'''Function''' The function of a commodity is the action or actions it is designed to perform. For software, the function means the action or actions the software performs directly related to a defense article or as a standalone application.

=== By Clickfold Plastics, Inc. ===

'''Fit''' refers to the ability of the part or feature to connect to, mate with, or join to another feature or part within an assembly. The “fit” allows the part to meet the required assembly tolerances to be useful.

'''Form''' refers to such characteristics as external dimensions, weight, size, and visual appearance of a part or assembly. This is the element of F3 that is most affected by an engineer's aesthetic choices, including enclosure, chassis, and control panel, that become the outward "face" of the product.

'''Function''' is a criterion that is met when the part performs its stated purpose effectively and reliably. In an electronics product, for example, function can depend on the solid-state components used, the software or firmware, and quite often on the features of the electronics enclosure selected. Poorly placed or sized ports and misleading or missing labeling are two of the most common ways in which an enclosure can fail the function criterion.

==== Note on Source ====

The above definitions were modified from the original source, which is no longer available from the original webpage. Also, the company's new website no longer hosts their own F3 definitions. <ref name="Clickfold">{{cite web |url=https://www.clickfoldplastics.com/form-fit-function.html |title=Understanding the Role of Form, Fit, and Function |publisher=Clickfold Plastics, Inc. |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref><ref name="ClickfoldNewSite">{{cite web |url=https://customplasticenclosures.com/form-fit-function.html |title=Understanding the Role of Form, Fit, and Function |publisher=Clickfold Plastics, Inc. |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref>

==References==

{{RefbeginReflist}}

* {{cite book |last=Morris |first=R. |title=The fundamentals of product design |year=2009 |publisher=AVA Publishing |isbn=2-940373-17-5 }}

== Sources ==

* {{cite book |last=Morris |first=R. |title=The fundamentals of product design |year=2009 |publisher=AVA Publishing |isbn=978-2-940373-17-58 }}

* {{cite book |last=Norman |first=D. |title=The design of everyday things |year=2002|publisher=Basic Books |___location=New York |isbn=0-465-06710-7 }}

* {{cite thesis | last1=Deets |first1=Douglas M. |title=The use of form, fit, and function in the acquisition of major weapon systems |date=1985 |publisher=Naval Postgraduate School |___location=Monterey, California |degree=Master's |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/36714841.pdf}}

{{Refend}}

== External links ==

[[Category:Product design]]

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