The key to understanding how to produce products with low response time, low inventory, and flexibility can be found in this important text. Using a systematic approach, this unique analysis of contemporary manufacturing processes identifies family characteristics of individual processes to facilitate learning. Using the same classification system, detailed descriptions of each individual process can be found in the Manufacturing Processes Reference Guide by the same authors. Identifies and studies six families of shaping processes that change the basic geometry of shape of a workpiece (Mechanical Mass Reducing, Thermal Mass Reducing, Chemical Mass Reducing, Mass Conserving, Consolidation, and Joining) and four families of nonshaping processes that modify the engineering and aesthetic properties of materials (Hardening, Softening, Surface Preparation, and Surface Coatings). This classification, or taxonomy, now used in the United States and Europe, is a valuable tool in identifying processes and their capabilities.
Robert (Bob) H. Todd (born 1942) is an American engineer and Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Brigham Young University (BYU) and a fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education.
Todd received a bachelor's degree from California State University, Northridge and an MS from Stanford University, and holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University. In 1971, he was serving as a counselor to Bishop Henry B. Eyring in the Stanford Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when Bishop Eyring was called to be the new president of Ricks College. Todd accepted an invitation to become the first professor of mechanical engineering at Ricks to have a Ph.D. He then joined the faculty of Brigham Young University in 1989, where he was appointed Professor of Mechanical Engineering. He developed BYU's mechanical engineering capstone program which was begun in 1990. Among other assignments at BYU, Todd has served as the coach of the Formula SAE racing team. Todd retired at the BYU in 2013.
Todd wrote the Manufacturing Processes Reference Guide (1991) along with Dell K. Allen and Leo Alting, and has written papers on the capstone project primarily with Spencer P. Magleby and Carl D. Sorenson.
Dell K. Allen (born 1931) is an American engineer, and Professor Emeritus of manufacturing engineering at Brigham Young University (BYU). The Society of Manufacturing Engineers named their Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award after him.
Allen received his B.S. in 1954 from the Utah State University and his M.S. in 1966 from Brigham Young University. His later work was more focused on information storage and information retrieval while his early work had been focused on metallurgy and manufacturing technology. After retiring as a professor at BYU, Allen taught at Utah State University.
Allen was elected as a member into the National Academy of Engineering in 1984 for innovative classification and coding systems used in computer-aided manufacturing and persevering efforts to improve curricula for industrial and manufacturing engineers.