Manufacturing Systems

Abstract

This chapter starts with a basic definition of manufacturing and a brief history on how the discipline developed throughout time, from initial craftsmanship via mass production to flexible and digital manufacturing. In this chapter, we use the term manufacturing to describe the process of converting raw materials or purchased components into physical products. We discuss basic performance measures to assess a manufacturing company’s efficiency and effectiveness. A major part of this chapter is devoted to a categorization of functions that together constitute an organizational framework for manufacturing, with a brief treatment of the essential elements of each function (advanced). Finally, we discuss the future of manufacturing by means of a short review of some important innovations induced by either technology progress or societal demands (state-of-the-art). We do not discuss prominent manufacturing planning and control systems, for this the reader is referred to Chap. 12 of this volume.