# 053 - "Duct Tape and Bubble Gum" with Chris Tsai

- Show: [Let's Combinate](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate)
- Published: 2022-10-05
- Length: 1h 04m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-10-05-053-duct-tape-and-bubble-gum-with-chris-tsai
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letscombinate/episodes/053---Duct-Tape-and-Bubble-Gum-with-Chris-Tsai-e1omn3s

## Summary

Chris Tsai, Director of Implementation at Boothroyd Dewhurst, Inc., discusses Value Engineering and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) methodologies. He recounts his experience at Eastman Kodak, where he helped invent Concurrent Engineering and robust design practices like the 'make it break' phase to avoid rushed, low-reliability products. Tsai explains how verb-noun pairs and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) define function to maximize value, while DFMA tools like Boothroyd Dewhurst’s software optimize part count and manufacturing costs through concurrent costing.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-10-05-053-duct-tape-and-bubble-gum-with-chris-tsai#t=0) Introduction: Chris Tsai and Boothroyd Dewhurst
- [2:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-10-05-053-duct-tape-and-bubble-gum-with-chris-tsai#t=172) Chris Tsai's Career at Eastman Kodak
- [5:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-10-05-053-duct-tape-and-bubble-gum-with-chris-tsai#t=310) The 'Make It Break' Phase and Robustness
- [14:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-10-05-053-duct-tape-and-bubble-gum-with-chris-tsai#t=896) Value Engineering and Verb-Noun Pairs
- [30:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-10-05-053-duct-tape-and-bubble-gum-with-chris-tsai#t=1840) QFD and Design Control in Non-Regulated Industries
- [39:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-10-05-053-duct-tape-and-bubble-gum-with-chris-tsai#t=2393) DFMA and Minimum Part Criteria
- [47:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-10-05-053-duct-tape-and-bubble-gum-with-chris-tsai#t=2869) DFM Concurrent Costing and Supply Chain Transparency
- [1:00:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-10-05-053-duct-tape-and-bubble-gum-with-chris-tsai#t=3630) Reshoring and the Value of Skilled Trades

## Topics

- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Boothroyd Dewhurst (company)
- Eastman Kodak (company)
- DFMA (tool)
- Don Clausing (other)
- Genichi Taguchi (other)
- Larry Miles (other)
- Dr. Boothroyd (other)
- Dr. Dewhurst (other)
- Larry Shillitoe (other)
- H. James Harrington (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [203: Design for Manufacturing for a New Invention Product](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-11-24-203-design-for-manufacturing-for-a-new-invention-product) (Product Startup)
- [110: Design for Manufacturing Consumer Products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-01-19-110-design-for-manufacturing-consumer-products) (Product Startup)
- [An Interview with Chris Denney](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-10-15-an-interview-with-chris-denney) (The Amp Hour)
- [S2E34 How Process Engineering Will Make You An Invaluable Engineer | Zach O’Ferrell](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-08-06-s2e34-how-process-engineering-will-make-you-an-invaluable-engineer-zach-oferrell) (Being an Engineer)
- [Ep. 8 | From Prototype to Market: Design for Manufacturability with Untapped Engineering Resources](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-08-25-ep-8-from-prototype-to-market-design-for-manufacturability-with-untapped-enginee) (Moore's Lobby)

## Citing this page

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