ABSTRACT
Manufacturing has been in practice for several thousands of years, beginning with the production of stone, ceramic, and metallic articles. The first industrial revolution that occurred toward the end of the eighteenth century saw the development of the steam engine that made power available in large quantities and at many locations. This led to rapid advances in manufacturing processes and the growth of production that culminated in the emergence of goods and products. Toward the second half of the twentieth century, further developments have taken place with the electronic era, spanning computers and the Internet, making it possible to design, control, plan, and manage tasks pertinent to making a product, i.e., manufacturing, at high speed, in real time, and at low cost. This chapter provides an overview of the key highlights of the conventionally used manufacturing processes spanning casting, forming, machining, and joining undertaken on materials including metals and their alloy and composite counterparts. The intricacies included in this chapter highlight the salient features of each of the viable conventional manufacturing techniques. The focus has been the use of these processes and techniques primarily on metals and their alloy counterparts. A few potentially viable applications of each manufacturing technique along with related advantages and associated limitations are highlighted.
