Form, fit and function

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 is maintained constant.

 Definitions

Fit: refers to the ability for the part or feature to connect to, mate with, or join to another feature or part within an assembly. If a part requires “fit” it usually implies that there are relatively tight assembly tolerances that must be met in order for the part 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 engineers choice of enclosure, chassis, control panel, etc. that becomes the outward "face" of the product.

Function: is a criteria that is met when the part performs its stated purpose effectively and reliably. In an electronics application, Function can depend on the solid-state components used, the software/firmware, and quite often on the features of the electronics enclosure selected. Poorly placed or dimensioned ports and misleading/missing labeling are just two of the most common ways in which an enclosure can fail the Function criteria of F3.

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