ABSTRACT
An enormous amount of manufacturing equipment exists for implementation of basic discrete manufacturing processes in production machinery. This manufacturing equipment consists of discrete products capable of manufacturing components, assemblies, structures, mechanisms, and machines. Figure 6.1 provides a list of processes available under different categories of discrete manufacturing that are used in actual production. The equipment under each category of discrete manufacturing is further classified according to the following features:
Type Size Accessories Operation parameters Type of control
Discrete manufacturing processes are developed as mechanical artifacts to perform production. These machines produce a variety of components, structures, assemblies, mechanisms, and machines. Each manufacturing process implemented into mechanical artifacts has three distinct features:
The input to the equipment (e.g., raw material type, form, and feeding mechanism, final dimension of the product, energy source, and other auxiliaries).
