Form, fit and function: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 21:12, 14 October 2023

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'''Form, Fit, and Function (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 refers to a set of characteristics or requirements that are essential for the design and compatibility of products, components, or systems, and can have legal considerations in regulated industries like aviation and defense (e.g., for technical data rights and configuration management). <ref name="ECFR252">{{cite web |url=https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-48/chapter-2/subchapter-H/part-252/subpart-252.2/section-252.227-7015 |title=Title 48, Chapter 2, Subchapter H, Part 252, Subpart 252.2, Section 252.227-7015 |publisher=Electronic Code of Federal Regulations |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref> <ref name="GlobalSpec">{{cite web |url=https://www.globalspec.com/reference/60484/203279/chapter-11-configuration-management |title=Chapter 11: Configuration Management |publisher=GlobalSpec |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref> <ref name="NASA">{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/reference/6-5-configuration-management/ |title=NASA Procedural Requirements: Configuration Management |publisher=NASA |accessdate=2023-10-14}}</ref>

'''Form, Fit, and Function (F3)''' is the identification and description of characteristics of a part or assembly. Each defines a specific aspect of the part to help engineers match parts to needs. The F3 framework increases [[design change]] flexibility by allowing changes to the part with minimal documentation and design cost as long as the fit, form and function of the product are maintained. It is a step in creating any physical product.

The concept originates in the 1960s, and in some cases as 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>

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== 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 Reliablity 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 <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> ===

'''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 [[Engineering tolerance|tolerances]] to be useful.

'''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 [[Engineering tolerance|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 electronics|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==

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== External links ==

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170801081926/https://www.clickfoldplastics.com/form-fit-function.html Understanding the Role of Form, Fit, and Function]

* [http://www.intrinsys.com/blog/2016/evaluating-the-change-form-fit-and-function Evaluating the Change: Form, Fit and Function (FFF)]

[[Category:Product design]]