ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the state-of-the-art of the manufacturing and processing methods in the digital era. The emerging processes include methods of precision subtractive and additive manufacturing. Scientists and engineers are seeking biologically inspired capabilities that are involved with living cells, tissues, and organisms' growth, control, manufacturing, recycling, and adaptation to the environment. To overcome the need to keep products in stock, the just-in-time manufacturing approach was developed by the automotive industry, particularly at Toyota, Japan. Being in digital format, the fabricated parts can be modified relatively easy and can be produced in new shapes as needed by making changes to the design in electronic form. The processes of rapid design, development, simulation, prototyping, manufacturing, and integration of parts and structures are increasingly being advanced as the result of enhancements in digital hardware and software technology.
