Practical Guide to Digital Manufacturing

Book excerpt: This book covers the subject of digital manufacturing. It provides a practical guide for readers on using computer aided design (CAD), computer aided engineering (CAE) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM) and other computer assistive tools for the design of products, machines, processes and system integrations through the case studies of engineering projects. The book introduces a thorough theoretical foundation and discussion of the historical development, and enabling technologies of digital manufacturing. It also covers a broad range of computer aided tools for a variety of applications including: geometric modelling; assembly modelling; motion simulation; finite element analysis; manufacturing process simulation; machining programming; product data management; and, product lifecycle management. Practical Guide to Digital Manufacturing uses many real-world case studies to illustrate the discussed applications, making it easily readable for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as engineers with the needs of computer-aided design and manufacturing knowledge and skills.