ABSTRACT
To the layman, manufacturing is frequently thought of as being some rather obscure operation that occurs in large buildings called factories. It is recognized that raw materials are delivered from some unknown location and introduced into the facility where they are mysteriously converted into suitable products such as automobiles, stoves, televisions and so on. While the method through which this magical transformation takes place generally is not understood, it is assumed to occur through the use of devices that are generically labeled machinery. In addition, recent publicity in the news media gives the impression that many factories are no longer productive and that the country has lost its previously held position of leadership in the competitive worldwide manufacturing market.
