ME 341 – Manufacturing Processes

University of Nevada Las Vegas	MEG426/626 Manufacturing Processes
Department of Mechanical Engineering	Fall Semester 2000

What is manufacturing?

Manufacturing is the application of physical and chemical processes to alter the geometry, properties, and/or appearance of a given starting materials to make parts or products.

The word manufacture is derived from two Latin words manus (hand) and factus (make).

Manufacturing covers two subjects:

	Manufacturing Processes	(MEG 426/626)
	Manufacturing Systems	(MEG 427/627)

Manufacturing Processes can be divided into two basic types

	Processing operations	and
	Assembly operations

A processes operation transforms a work material from one state of completion to a more advanced state that is closer to the final desired product. It adds value by changing the geometry, properties, or appearance of the starting material. In most cases, processes operations are performed on discrete workparts, but some are also applicable to assembled items.

Examples: Casting, Machining, Forming (Hot and Cold), Finishing, and Joining Processes.

An assembly operation joins two or more components in order to create a new entity, which is called an assembly, or sub-assembly, or some other term that refers to the joining process.

Why Manufacturing is important?

Technologically speaking, manufacturing is the essential factor that makes technology possible. (Technology is the application of science to provide society and its members with those things that are needed or desired.)

Economically speaking, manufacturing is an important means by which a nation creates material wealth.

	US industries		Gross National Product (GNP)
	Manufacturing industries		20%
	Agriculture, mining, and similar industries		5%
	Construction and public utilities		5%
	Service industries (retail, transportation, banking, communication, education, and government)		70%

Historically speaking, human cultures that were better at making things were more successful. To a significant degree, the history of civilization is the history of humans' ability to make things.

The major difference between human beings and animals is, we, human being can "make" tools.

The ability to make better things is used to distinguish human society’s civilization levels. By making better tools, they had better crafts and weapons. Better crafts allowed them to live better. Better weapons allowed them to conquer neighboring cultures in times of conflict.

American Civil War (1861-1865)

One great advantages of the North over the South was it’s industrial strength - its ability to manufacture.

World War II (1939-1945)

The United States out-produced Germany and Japan - a decisive advantage in winning the war.

Table 1.1 Various Products, One Common Feature

	Shoes	Automatic teller machine
	Ballpoint pen	Phone
	Compact disc player	Contact lenses
	Car	Electronic calculator
	Industrial robot	Integrated circuit
	TV	Magnetic resonance imaging machine for medical diagnosis
	Microwave oven	Personal computer
	Photocopying machine	Pull-tab beverage cans
	Watch	tire
	Lawn mower	Aircraft
	Tennis racket of composite materials	Video cassette recorder
	Washing machine and dryer	...

Can you imagine one day how can you live when manufactured products suddenly disappeared?

Created by Dr. Wang