Computer Aided Manufacturing Books

I will admit to being prejudiced. I've known Del Coates for about four years now through Western Automotive Journalists.
He is a true gentleman who has always been willing to chat with me and help me to understand why I really liked a cetain car I was reviewing.

Del's book not only provides brief and clear analysis of why objects around us are made the way they are, but gave me a far more complete tool set with which to judge. What I learned will allow me to be a better writer who can now "make sense" out of what I am feeling.

I have not only told my friends about the book, I went out and purchased about a dozen and sent them to fellow writers and editors. And being the cheapskate that I am, this even surprised me.

This is simply a superb book and will be cherished by anyone who really wants to understand how Industrial Design developed
and grew into something that touches us every second of every day
whether we recognize it or not.

I will admit to being prejudiced. I've known Del Coates for about four years now through Western Automotive Journalists.
He is a true gentleman who has always been willing to chat with me and help me to understand why I really liked a cetain car I was reviewing.

Del's book not only provides brief and clear analysis of why objects around us are made the way they are, but gave me a far more complete tool set with which to judge. What I learned will allow me to be a better writer who can now "make sense" out of what I am feeling.

I have not only told my friends about the book, I went out and purchased about a dozen and sent them to fellow writers and editors. And being the cheapskate that I am, this even surprised me.

This is simply a superb book and will be cherished by anyone who really wants to understand how Industrial Design developed
and grew into something that touches us every second of every day whether we recognize it or not.

A book that addresses what many know but fail to acknowledge. This book brings the importance of design, which is a result of the power of the human senses, to the mainstream without dumbing down the material. The decisions people make in regards to buying products are largely based on unarticulated(Subconscious) reasons. Studies report that 80% of human communication is non-verbal and that visual communication is one of the oldest and most important forms of communication. In todays marketplace where most products are commodities, possesing similar features and functions, design is one of the most powerful forms of differentiation. This book details the importance of design and the key attributes that make one design stand out from another. Take notice of the "irregular" or different size of this books binding. Do you think some thought went into that?

"Watches Tell More than Time" is about how industrial designers influence the emotional responses that their products create. (Note: it's primarily concerned with physical objects, as opposed to computer software, which gets a lot of design press these days).

It explains these responses in terms of evolutionary psychology. And, in what I consider to be the reason to read the book, it tells you how to measure and optimize them. That is, it lays out the theoretical underpinnings for a small set of attributes (contrast, novelty, objective concinnity, and subjective concinnity) that are fundamentally responsible for our emotional responses to objects, then describes a systematic process by which you can strengthen the responses that you consider important for a given product, and then measure your success (using a semantic differential scale) and find out you whether you have simultaneously weakened other desirable responses.

There is some jargon, but it's well defined and to the point, and anyone interested in design should have no problem understanding it.

It's at its best when the author delves into specific examples. Many are from his experience in the car design field; others are everyday items that everyone can relate to. The detailed deconstruction of a "simple" Corelle cup is outstanding -- I wish the book had a dozen more like it.

The book's major weakness is the amount of time devoted to relatively elementary concepts, such as contrast and novelty. (How many times and in how many ways do we need to be told, for example, that new things command more of our attention than familiar ones?) I finished several chapters in a row thinking "OK, now that's he's got that out of his system, he's about to get to the good stuff." Eventually he does, but the repetition beforehand is why my rating is four stars, not five.

Note: The book is _not_ about what I might call the "mechanics of aesthetics". How is it that Curve A feels dull while Curve B -- a subtle, almost unnoticeable variation -- seems taut and alive? Why does this union of materials and forms seem exactly right, even inspiring, but that one fails to catch the eye?

For example, the author calls SUVs outwardly "robust", "rugged", and "militaristic". That feels right, but what makes it so? What is it, exactly, about the shapes and lines of an SUV that evoke such a different reaction than is typical for a minivan ("bland", "boring", "utilitarian")? Each is, after all, more like the other than like a sedan. Yet no one would have trouble identifying the type from a picture -- even without telltale backgrounds of the Rockies vs a youth soccer field. Each time I think I've got it nailed down, I see a counter-example on the road. I think it's mostly a matter of the angle between the hood and windshield, and the height of the grille. But that just begs the question: why are the more acute angle and higher grille more aggressive in the first place? A lower grille and gentler angle are considered more aggressive in a sports car.

"Watches Tell More than Time" tantalizingly dances around such questions, but fundamentally doesn't attempt to answer them. But it leaves you better equipped to wrestle with the answers yourself. (A sports car has different emotional goals than an SUV.)

So the book won't make you an industrial designer any more than a trip to the art supply store will make you an artist. Instead, it introduces you to a fundamental chunk of an industrial designer's toolkit. If you've already internalized "talk to your users" and "keep it simple", and you want a deeper understanding of how some products are able to become beloved icons, you'll probably find very interesting material here.

You will learn how humans react to a product - particularly great ones. I appreciate that the author has given me a new way to look at products and the effect of their designs.

The author describes from a neurological and pyschological point of view how you react to a new product the instant you see it. I am talking micro-seconds here. Then, he discusses how you come to like it or reject it (a few microseconds later). This was truly interesting. He relates it back to Information Theory -- yet the book was not about bits and bytes. He describes how various shapes communicate differing amounts of information. Too much results in an over load.

The author presents a simple model to analyze products. To help with this he discusses how he uses semantic difference surveys. I found this material very interesting although I wish that he had included samples of the survey documents. I didn't understand how the prospects visualized and then specified the ideal product to compare your product to.

This is truly a great book but it does requires you to slow down when you read. The author carefully defines his terms - which unfortunately have to deal with cultural abstractions (like 'zeitgeists', 'daimons'). To keep up with the author, you need to understand these terms, as the author defines them.

I will now go back a second time and try to make his framework more permanent in my brain.

The author sleeps and dreams about great design. He has been a great designer (cars) for some time and now teaches out in San Jose.

If you develop new products, or are a CEO of a company, or if you just like design... this is a required book.

I looked at the book at the book store several times and put it back because the abstract terminology turned me off. Later I went and sat down in the book store and read it more slowly. It was then that I realized what a jewell this book is. I'd love to sit in on one of his classes.

John Dunbar
Sugar Land, TX

I would have to say that this book was able to accomplish being both very detailed, and easy to understand. Not something that many authors can achieve. The simplicity in which the chapters are broken down into makes it easy for one to be able to quickly access whatever they need. Not to mention I used this for just one class, and in a semester we only got through about 12 or so chapters, of the 43. Great reference for the future and very highly recommended!

good work on the part of author......

I use this book in most of my Engineering classes because it contains so much information and explains it in ways that make sense to anyone. The older editions have a nicer, more comprehensive index in the back but contain just as much information.

I used this book (7th Edition) as the standard text for my Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering - I took all the electives in Manufacturing Engineering and so can say I covered a very broad range of topics in some depth.

This book is - to say the least - comprehensive. Not only did I find it an easy but thorough reference while taking my courses, I still frequently refer to it over 10 years later. I can honestly say that it is rare that I have to go outside of this book to look up details on basic manufacturing and machining processes.

A real benefit to the way the book has been written is the extensive use of photographs and diagrams to illustrate just about every point (often several to a page). When you are trying to understand real world problems like manufacturing this is essential.

In fact, I would go so far to say as if you are just someone with an inquisitive mind that likes to tinker with machine tools then you'll find this book useful. There have been plenty of times when I stumbled upon something while researching another topic and had a "so that's how they do it" moment.

You won't find extensive theory in the book - if you need to do theoretical calculations on strength of materials etc then you will want to look elsewhere. If you are interested in the practical details of manufacturing processes then this is the one for you. Perhaps thats the reason why this volume gets all the use and my theory books stay in the basement!

By the way, it's a real tome - over 1100 pages in the 7th edition - I'm sure there have been revisions in the 8th edition but haven't seen it yet. Even though it's expensive this book has paid itself off many times over for me.

If you want your organization to really be successful in EDM and PDM, read this book, it explains well all the principles. Its a good comprehensive introduction to Engineering Data Management and Engineering Workflow Management. Its a thorough text for serious EDM and PDM managers and others managing product data. Practical industry oriented chapters about engineering data, engineering workflow and EDM implementation. Technology and its vendors change fast, but the basic information and conclusions of this stands the test of time. Those responsible for managing CAD data may especially find this book useful. It aided me particularly in thinking about these potentially very complex subjects. Should be read with Rodger Burden's excellent 'PDM: Product Data Management' which moves the clock foward 10 yrs, and 'Product Lifecycle Management: Paradigm for 21st Century Product Realisation' from 'Engineering Information Management Systems' author John Stark, PLM Visionary, for the way PLM emerged from technologies like CAD, EDM and PDM. Recommended reading.

I found this book after reading Stark's Product Lifecycle Management book published in 2004, 13 years after this one. For me Stark's PLM book puts him up there as a leader among the PLM thoughtleaders and a principal visionary of PLM. I wanted to check out how accurate some of his preceding writings would be ten years on. In Engineering Information Management Systems he is writing mainly about Product Data Management software and workflow in the product development area. The book is clear, detailed, complete and useful nearly fifteen years after it was published. He had a clear view of what those systems could do a long time before they became a commonplace. On that basis the ideas in his PLM book could still be with us in 2020. A 2020 vision of PLM. I recommend reading this book. The basic facts are as relevant now as they were when published in 1992.

This is an old book dating from the late nineteen eighties, but has very good descriptions of the needs and reasons for edm systems (engineering data management systems, engineering document management systems, engineering drawing management systems.) As well as the needs and reasons, there are excellent descriptions of the functionality of these systems, and examples of them. The author also explains nicely how to do an implementation project. There are more recent books about product data management (Burden, Product Data Management) and product lifecycle management (Stark, Product Lifecycle Management: Paradigm for 21st Century Product Realisation) but this one is very good value for money, is a classic in the field, has a good description of the basics, and is one of the first to relate product data management to application systems like cad/cam and to working methods like concurrent engineering, and I recommend reading it.

In my view this book contains very interesting and practical topic about CAD/CAM/CAE in various area.

Interesting Contex

Interesting Contex

Initially, I purchased this text book because one of the authors, Dr. Myrna Garner, was a professor of mine at Illinios State University. However, upon delving into the book, I realized how exciting and informative the book is for someone who has since graduated college, and is living in the "real world" of retail. Dr Garner is still teaching via this informative text book - and it's still just as exciting to hear what she has to tell us.

Out of all of the books I ordered that day, this one I recieved first. I was so surpised at how quickly it arrived. I would definitely do business with this seller again! Thanks

Many manufacturing technology professors feel unsure about the nature and teaching computer integrated manufacturing (CIM)in their program. James A. Rehg and Henry W. Kraebber are dynamic authors, as they present CIM as a technical and strategic function of an organization. They offer a technical and management-based approach for understanding and implementing CIM in the "world class manufacturing" settings. Unlike other CIM books, Computer Integrated Manufacturing is written from the manufacturing technology professor's point of view with technical expertise. The CIM model used is consistent with the SME Manufacturing Enterprise Wheel developed by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. This books explains the fundamental principles as well as practical applications of computer integrated manufacturing in a clear and effective manner and the illustrations and complement the text well.

Many manufacturing technology professors feel unsure about the nature and teaching computer integrated manufacturing (CIM)in their program. James A. Rehg and Henry W. Kraebber are dynamic authors, as they present CIM as a technical and strategic function of an organization. They offer a technical and management-based approach for understanding and implementing CIM in the "world class manufacturing" settings. Unlike other CIM books, Computer Integrated Manufacturing is written from the manufacturing technology professor's point of view with technical expertise. The CIM model used is consistent with the SME Manufacturing Enterprise Wheel developed by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. This books explains the fundamental principles as well as practical applications of computer integrated manufacturing in a clear and effective manner and the illustrations complement the text well.

This is an excellent college level text.I particularly like the detailed "real world" drafting problems for the students. Also it has a very good apppendix. It is comprehensive enough that we use it in three different courses here at Vincennes University.

I have had this book in my drafting library for some time now. I am always using it and recommending it. The book is laid out so that you can go from beginning drafting up through advanced. It not only says what the standards are, but walks you through drafting technology so that you understand why they are like they are. I believe that anyone that is going to be doing drafting should have this in their library.

I found this book useful and interesting. It explains the basic concepts required in process design and process integration.

The book guides the student in a simple and understandable way trough the complex subjects of process design, giving important rules in the design and integration of chemical processes.

The introduction of Thermodynamics in the books is a clear advantage. This is due to the importance of the thermodynamics in the use of simulation packages. It helps to answer basic but key questions when using simulators.

The part of the book that treats process synthesis is made in hierarchical way, guiding the student since basic concept of the process up to how to manage and separate complex azeotropic mixtures.

The process integration gives a well balance approach between theory and practical experience.

Finally the design part of the book gives to the student practical and useful information about how to face and be successful designing a process.

Although the book is highly oriented towards simulation, it has a good explanation of the theory behind any simulation package.

I consider the book is a good tool for users with a basic knowledge of chemical engineering and a good introduction to simulation in chemical engineering.

There are a lot of books about simulation and process integration. The first merit of this book is to give an "integrated" point of view about simulation, integration and design of the chemical processes. Even the title of the books is starting with the finality (Integrated Design), followed by the tool (Simulation).
The second merit is to give more importance to thermodynamics. This has a crucial role in any simulation.
The third is that the book is not a "compilation" of the user's manuals of the different simulators.
I used simulators from 1993 but now I can see that a lot of my "tips and tricks" (presented to my students) are more organized and with theoretical bases.
The book has five parts, well balanced:
Process Simulation
Thermodynamic Methods
Process Synthesis
Process Integration
Design Project.
Process Simulation presents both steady and dynamic simulation with connection between them. Also, there are a lot of data about optimization of the process.

Thermodynamics Methods is a well informed guide about using thermodynamics in simulation. Phase equilibrium is presented from simulators point of view.
Process synthesis presents hierarchical approach and two important fields of interest: reaction systems and azeotropic systems.
Started with pinch analysis, the chapter about Process Integration gives an important role to controllability analysis. Any simulation is in vain without materialization in a process that can work at high technical economical parameters. The real process must be in focus in any step: from simulation to industrial installation.
The last chapter, Design Project, give all you need to know about this activity.
The Case studies includes, in three practical examples, all new approaches presented in this book.
I consider the book an excellent introduction and a professional guide for all users of the simulation in chemical engineering.
I will use this book like base support in the two courses I teach at University "Petroleum and Gases", Simulation in Chemical Engineering and Optimization in Chemical Engineering.

This offers a new perspective, with interesting chapters on powder packing and neural networks. Plus the author has diligently scanned all references, which are very valuable to current and future workers. The printing and presentation are excellent. The book is an essential addition to any powder metallurgy/technology collection, whether in industry or academia.

A book that is accessible and inspirational - a must for P/M engineers. I bought it a while ago and find it very useful for helping with approaches for part design analysis and automating process control. I particularly liked the literature review and the section on using neural networks for process modeling. It inspired us to develop some similar network techniques and we are already using them to cut times and costs. It also has interesting sections on materials, processing, the STEP standard and Internet based design consultation - I strongly recommend it. Only wish I could get hold of a similar book on covering use of genetic algorithms/fuzzy logic.

Good book with good case studies.
We implement RTT software and this provides some ideas.