Form, fit and function

The term "Form, fit and function", sometimes called F3, in the manufacturing and technology industries is a description of an item's identifying characteristics. If the specifications, or criteria, for form, fit and function of a particular item are met, all other attributes, from an engineering design process, are moot or extraneous.

Definition

Physical, functional, and performance characteristics or specifications that uniquely identify a component or device and determine its interchangeability in a system.Business Dictionary, [http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/Form-Fit-and-Function-F3.html Form, Fit and Function Definition] ]

pecifications

Form

* the shape, size, dimensions, mass and/or other visual parameters which uniquely characterize an item. This defines the "look" of the part or item. Sometimes weight, balance and center of mass are considerations in 'form'.

Fit

* the ability of an item to physically interface or interconnect with or become an integral part of another item or assembly. This relates to the associativity of the part in relation to the assembly, or to other parts, and includes tolerances.

Function

* the action [s] that an item is designed to perform. This is the reason for the item's existence, which also includes secondary applications.

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