Never has the competition for manufactured goods been keener. In this context, concurrent engineering is far more than the latest fad in manufacturing methodologies. It is the factor, long ignored, where true leverage for competitiveness lies. To understand this major concept we must consider a few facts that underscore the leverage for quality, cost and delivery (QCD) that exists in the product design phase. Thus, it turns out that even if you were to double design costs, you could reduce the total product costs by 60 percent with concurrent engineering. Second, in a concurrent engineering environment, time-to-market can be reduce by 40 percent. Third, because customer requirements are built in, to design, from the start, product quality can now match the needs of the marketplace. Furthermore, without concurrent engineering, JIT, QC tools and TPM remain isolated and limit their effect to improve a company’s profitability. The author emphasizes the need of concurrent engineering implement even if its environment results from a total restructuring of the organization. In addition, he pointed the way it must be done based on a vast experience and a great number of examples. The book has 308 pages, 62 figures, 8 tables and it is divided in three parts: Part one – Tremendous Gains; Part Two – Tools and Techniques; Part Three – Making It Happen. In Chapter One – The Need for Change, the author makes a critical introspection of the 1990 USA economy in a parallel with Japanese economy. It shows that the remarkable progress and the increased share of a market came as a result of the U.S. political pressure. The eloquent example came from the automobile industry: GM, Ford, Chrysler losses 3.5percent, 11 percent and 15 percent respectively. By contrast, Toyota and Honda sales were up by 15 percent and 9 percent. Furthermore, the customers complained that the American goods are less reliable than Japanese goods. The clear answer is the need of better products that meet the requirements of customers. Also, it presents that the Japanese companies are able to develop products much more quickly than their American competitors. Chapter Two – Quickening Change the author presents how the time-to-market can be shortened by applying the concurrent engineering concept. This can be done by organizing a multidisciplinary task force which consists of employees from several departments. This task force has the duty to define the product according to the customers demands, to obtain the final product using the minimum number of parts, to identify and to make the changes early in the project, thus cutting the cost of the final product. Chapter Three – The Key to Japanese Success presents a pertinent study on the Japanese companies, emphasizing the elements that have brought the success, such as: group culture, the use of Japanese new born concepts (Quality Function Deployment, Taguchi Method), the development of a CAD/CAM system. There are some examples of the application of the concurrent engineering concepts (conscious or unconscious) by Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Matsushita companies. Chapter Four – North American Pioneers presents some of the American companies, which started to apply the concurrent engineering concepts from the middle of 80’s. These companies are: Xerox, General Motors, Ford. In addition, one presents the CALS military programme (Computers aided Acquisition and Logistic Support) which is the equivalent of the CE. Chapter Five – CE in European Automobile Industry presents the European knowledge in the concurrent engineering domain. The example is focused on the VW which disbanded the quality control department and deploying the stuff into the departments where their experience could improve the quality at the source. In addition, VW puts much faith in the use of CAD in its approach, using CATIA and EXPERT software and 450 workstations. Chapter Six – Management in Control of Product Development For concurrent engineering to be a success, senior management must be dedicated totally to making it working. However, senior managers must avoid trying to control the task forces too closely. It must be a close

contact between customers, marketing department and designers in order to obtain a successfully product. In addition, one presents the failure of the conventional engineering and the need of the simulations with the help of the CAD equipment. Chapter Seven – Total Quality Control Becomes Reality presents how it must be assure the quality by design, how to determine the real cost of the quality and the way the quality must be controlled in the plant by statistical process control (SPC) method. In order to obtain the quality , it is necessary to eliminate the waste (the unnecessary prototypes, scrap materials, rejects, failures in the field, and so on). Chapter Eight – Concurrent Engineering Enhances Design The design of a product is consider by the most of the managers a necessary evil, a costly nonproductive unit. Yet, if it were to increase the cost to 10 percent , it could turn to be a benefit by being a better design, easier to manufacture. In this chapter, one presents the QFD technique and the quality-planning matrix. Chapter Nine – Easier Production, Fewer Failures presents the DFMA (design for manufacture and assembly) as a vital tool which leads to a minimize of the total number of product parts by 20…60 percent, and a cut in costs up to 60 percent. In addition, one presents the FMEA (failure modes and effects analysis) technique, which reduce the failures. Chapter Ten – Robust Products for Manufacture makes an introduction on the Taguchi system and the benefits of applying this methodology. Chapter Eleven – Concurrent Engineering is Wasted without CAD/CAM These technologies lead to a cut of the costs by offering the possibility of simulation of the structure behaviour and to make rapid changes in order to improve the product. Chapter Twelve - Concurrent Engineering Makes Friends with Manufacturing by eliminating the production problems at source, creating the possibility of testing new manufacturing methods, reducing the number of operations necessary to obtain the product. Chapter Thirteen – Customers –Driven Vendors the role of the vendors of capital equipment and key components in the task force become a resource of cutting the lead time for plant. This is achieved by transferring much more information about the machine –tools needs to the vendor which will built the exact machine. It will be paid a far more attention to the maintenance as well. Chapter Fourteen – Starting Concurrent Engineering is done by concentrating continuously on changing the culture of the employees, by setting the targets, by training the staff in methodologies, by starting with small projects and building up the concept. Chapter Fifteen – Managing Concurrent Engineering is done by creating the guidelines and following them as rules. Chapter Sixteen – Surprises and Shorter Product Lives Discipline is a major ingredient in concurrent engineering, particularly when the market or competitive levels change suddenly. Thus you can face the enormous pressure to do something to boost sales in short time. One of the possibility is to create short product lives and to create new models every month Chapter Seventeen – Future Concurrent Engineering The new direction in which concurrent engineering is develop are : new grouping of departments; business responsibility in task force; common data base for all department; restructuring in industry. This book gives the clue to a successfully reorganization of the companies based on the concurrent engineering concept.   Lecturer Catalin DUMITRAS, Ph.D.

This book is designated to those categories of personnel that work in a specialized area of manufacturing engineering named tool design. This area comprises the analysis, planning, design, construction and application of tools, methods and procedures necessary to increase manufacturing productivity. Today’s tool designer must have a working knowledge of toolmaking procedures, machine tool design, manufacturing procedures, as well as more conventional engineering disciplines of planning, designing, engineering, graphics and drawing, and cost analysis. Furthermore, tool designer must be familiar with metallurgy, electronics, and computers. Starting from these observations the book was revised and it has 12 chapters, 769 pages, now. Chapter One – Tool Design makes an analysis of the responsibilities and objectives of a tool designer, the statement of the problem in this field of application, and a cost analysis. Chapter Two – Tool Materials makes a short and comprehensive introduction in the world of tools materials presenting the physical and mechanical properties definitions, together with ferrous, nonferrous types of tools materials. Chapter Three – Cutting Tools Design presents the cutting tool functions and geometry. It starts with the single point tools geometry definition, chip formation mechanisms and how we can manipulate the cutting factors (such as: velocity, size of cut, tool materials, cutting fluids) in order to obtain the best results. Then one presents the tool wear and the influence of this phenomenon on machinability criteria. In the end of the single point tools presentation, one gives the cutting forces formulas and the power requirements. In the second part of the chapter the above mention factors and formulas for the multi-point tools (drill, milling cutters, broach) are developed. Chapter Four – Workholding Principles presents the purpose and the function of an workholder, types and methods of locations, locating rules. It also presents the chip, burrs and dirt problems, clamping principles, types of forces (such as: tool forces, clamping forces). This chapter ends with the presentation of the basic types of clamps (strap clamps, screw, cam clamps) and the chucks and vises nomenclature. Chapter Five – Jig Design Jigs are workholders that are designed to hold, locate and support workpiece while guiding the cutting tool throughout its cutting cycle. It can be divided in two general classifications: drill jigs and boring jigs. Starting from these, some constructions of drill jigs (template drill jigs, plate jigs, universal jigs, leaf jigs, indexing jigs, wooden and plastic drill jigs) are presented together with drill jig bushings constructions. In the end one presents the main problems that arise when designing of a drill jig. Chapter Six – Fixture Design unlike jigs, fixtures do not guide the cutting tool, but rather, provide a means to reference and align the cutting tool to the workpiece. Fixtures are classified by the machine with which they are

designed to be used. In these chapter one presents the main types of fixtures, the problems raised by its designing, the relation between the fixture and the cutting tool. Chapter Seven – Design of Pressworking Tools starts with a brief presentation of the press types (open-back inclinable press, eccentric-shaft mechanical press, power-press, hydraulic press). Furthermore the calculus of the center of pressure, cutting forces, die block and other elements of the die design are presented. In the end of the chapter, one presents some characteristics of the design for piercing – die, blanking-die, and compound-die. Chapter Eight – Bending, Forming, Drawing, and Forging Dies presents a general description of the named types of dies together with elements of the die design. Chapter Nine - Design of Tools for Inspection and Gauging sets up the cost which is the governing factor in deciding tolerances. As tolerances become smaller, the cost of meeting them increases rapidly. Starting from this point one presents, in this chapter, the basic gauging principles, types of gages (plug gages, ring gages, snap gages, flush-pin gages, pneumatic gages, electronic gages, optical projection gauging). In order to properly gage geometric dimensioned and toleranced parts, it presents the symbols and definitions together with the gagging methods for cylindricity, circularity, perpendicularity, angularity, parallelism, runout, position. In addition, the basic design rules for positionally-toleranced parts are presented. Chapter Ten – Tool Design for the Joining Processes presents the main types of welding fixtures, the brazing and soldering process, mechanical joining using bolts and nuts, screws, rivets, wire stitching, metal stitching, adhesive bonding. Chapter Eleven – Modular Tooling and Automated Tool Handling presents one of the most important concept in determining the decrease of the cost and the increase of the productivity, namely the modularity. In the beginning of the chapter, one presents some considerations with respect to special tools design, the modular tooling systems and quick change tooling. Then it presents the automatic identification process using the bar code. In the end, the automated guided vehicles in tool control are presented. Chapter Twelve – The Computer in Tool Design: CIM/CAD/CAM Technology discusses on the use of the computers in design stages, with particular emphasis on tool design. It includes an overview of CAD in tool design, CAD hardware and software, the impact of CAD on tool design, benefits, and future trends in CAD technology. In its whole, this book represents a comprehensive and strategic tool for the engineers, especially for those who work in the design field of application.         Lecturer Catalin DUMITRAS, Ph. D.

Shigeo Shingo is the father of the new widespread concepts in manufacturing improvement domain, such as: just - in - time (JIT), SMED system – single minute exchange of die, ZQC – zero quality control, poka – yoke (techniques of low cost 100 percent inspections and immediate action). He was an international consultant to some of the world’s largest companies such as: Toyota, Bridgestone, Peugeot, AT&T. Based on the above mention concepts and techniques one can triple the profits of a company in space of one year. The present book is the last book of the author and is based on the recognition that production is a network of process and operations. This book is structured on 7 parts and 17 chapters, and includes 42 figures and one appendix. Part I presents the problems and approaches to improvement. Dr. Shingo concludes that a number of deficiencies in conventional production management philosophy must be corrected immediately. Part II discusses on the fundamental thinking necessary for improving production management. He emphasizes that Gilbert’s concepts are not outdated but still mark the point of departure for improvement. He reiterates that understanding the basic techniques of how improvement should be carried out is the heart of production management improvement. He discusses on specific tools for putting together an improvement plan: observation, idea formulation, judgement, suggestion and implementation. He returns to the basic flaws in conventional production management, insisting on the idea that a critical review of current production systems is important in understanding these flaws. He states that all improvements are not equal; that how we look at the improvement objectives determines the kind of improvements we end up with.

Part III focuses on the object of improvement - the structure and functions of production. Exploiting demand is the first step in production management. Clarifying and exploiting potential market needs and altering needs for existing models are two issues to study from the perspective of value engineering and value analysis. Dr. Shingo examines five functional aspects (technical skills, finance, production, marketing, personnel) and seven action stages (wanting, deciding, planning, implementing, controlling, monitoring and satisfaction). He talks about how techniques such as CAD/CAM can be effective at the design stage. Part IV, process functions are expressed by four different phenomena: processing, inspection, transportation and delays. He switches from talking about process improvement for single parts to talking about improving process control systems for assembly in large lot production, flow systems, process type synchronization, mixed production systems, block production, supermarket systems, multimachine and multiprocess handling systems. Part V focuses on operational improvement and why he thinks process functions should take precedence over operational functions. He talks about divisions of labour in the eighteen – century England affected the development of work. He then looks at types of operations including setup improvement, operational functions, the automation of manual functions and operational improvements through robotization and pre-automation, total productive maintenance (TPM). Part VI and VII present his steps to improving productivity worldwide and his final thoughts on improving productivity in the future.   Lecturer Catalin DUMITRAS, Ph.D.

The original paper, "The Application of the CEDAC for the Standardization and Quality Control", was awarded the 1978 Nikkei prize for a QC paper by the Deming Prize Committee in Japan . The author, dr. Ryuji Fukuda is one of the world’s most highly qualified experts in the field of industrial engineering, stockless production and quality improvement. In present, he is a consultant to the Japan Management Association and to major firms in Japan, North America and Europe (including Fiat, Michelin, Philips, Volvo). He also teaches courses in Quality Assurance at the University of Kobe. This work has four chapters, an appendix and CEDAC Analysis Forms. CEDAC is an acronym for the "Cause and Effect Diagram with the Addition of Cards". The first chapter is entitled The Three Driving Forces for Promoting Improvement Activity. These forces are the following: Obtain and Develop Reliable Systems, Create a Favorable Environment and Keep Practicing the Systems in Daily work. The CEDAC system is an extremely effective tool for generating these three forces: a) CEDAC is a reliable system which promotes improvements. It can function under different conditions in different industries and in different countries; b) it has helped create the necessary type of favorable environments for improvement; c) since it is a simple method, anyone can easily acquire skill with constant practice. In order to facilitate implementation and maintenance of improvements, it is need to take the following actions: implementing countermeasures; confirm the results, standardizing, adhering to the standards. The CEDAC system consists of three processes: Window Analysis; CEDAC Diagram; Window Development.

Chapter 2 is entitled Window Analysis: Accurate Fact-Finding For Preventive Countermeasures. This chapter discusses on Window Analysis, the first element of the CEDAC system. This method analyses concrete facts about the various defective outcomes which occur in daily work and attempts to categorize them from a management perspective. Using this method creates habits for gathering facts correctly, categorizing data for measurement, and establishing effective countermeasures. This chapter includes five parts: 1-Window Analysis; 2-Ways to Eliminate Defects; 3-Window Analysis Exercise: Six Case Studies; Analyzing the Result of the Window; Directions for Countermeasures. The third chapter, Establishing Standards (Right Methods) for Everyone to Use, includes: Synopsis and Special Features of The CEDAC Diagram and How to Make and Use a CEDAC Diagram. The last chapter, Knowing and Adhering to the Standard (Right Method), reviewed the steps in making a CEDAC Diagram. The final step in that process is adhering to the standard. Window Development, discussed on in this chapter, is a useful way to ensure that everyone understands and adheres to the right method. Window Development which consists of two steps. Step one contains five procedures: description of a problem; description of "Unpracticed"; description of "Unknown"; contents of day-to-day countermeasures; estimation of effectiveness. Step two contains: person-in-charge; concrete methods; deadline; superior’s follow-up. Prof. Nicolae GHERGHEL, Ph. D. Lecturer Nicolae SEGHEDIN, Ph. D.

The work constitutes a vast synthesis of concerning data about properties and technology of the combustibles utilized in internal combustion engines. The work was edited in two volumes. In the first volume presents a review of the physical and chemical properties of the hydrocarbons and refining techniques. The functional principles of the spark ignition engine systems, gasoline characteristics and specifications, gasoline blending and the spark ignition engine fuel matching are presented as well. Furthermore specific characteristics and specifications of diesel fuel properties related to storage and distribution of diesel fuel are discussed on.. The second volume presents the correlation between fuel consumption and pollution, legislation about pollution effects, a comprehensive

analysis of the pollution phenomenon and the methods for reduction of the pollutants effects. Alternative fuels for internal combustion engines are also taken in view. Natural gas motor fuel, methanol and biofuel vehicle adaptation and possible developments are analyzed as well as special fuels properties and technology. In the end a concise study about the fuel and engines of tomorrow is given. The publication is a professional and valuable study for students, professors and engineers in the field of the internal combustion engines.     Prof. Dan DASCALESCU, Ph. D.

DAAAM International was founded, based on the idea and initiative of B. Katalinic, on November 5th, 1990 at the Vienna Symposium, in order to mark the 175th anniversary of the Vienna University of Technology. The purpose of DAAAM International is to provide a world forum for engineers, scientists and industrial managers to present and discuss the current status and impact of advanced manufacturing and automation. During the last eight years the activities of DAAAM International are supported by the scientists and experts from more than fifty countries all over the world. During the last three years the DAAAM International focused its activities on the regional and global long-term cooperation between (technical) universities. The results of this initiative is founding of the University Network of DAAAM International Vienna and starting of two long-term cooperation projects. The founding document of the network is the University Charter of Dubrovnik. The main aims of DAAAM are: to organize annual DAAAM International symposium, each year in other county; to organize long-term projects initially known as Interuniversitary Doctoral Studies; international cooperation among scientists and engineers; exchange of people, scientists and technical information; to cooperate with other national and international organizations in matter of common interests. The main topics of the DAAAM International include: adaptive control; artificial intelligence; CAD/CAM/CAE systems; CAx technologies; CIM; Concurrent engineering; Design; Expert systems; Genetic Algorithms; IMS; Industrial Robots; intelligent systems; Machine learning; Machining; Maintenance; Manufacturing; Materials; Measuring; Mechatronics; Optimal Design; Optimization; Process Control; Product Modelling; Quality Management; Rapid Prototyping; Robot Mechanisms; Sensors; System Simulation; Virtual Manufacturing; Virtual Reality.

There were published 191 articles from which one can metion: Katalinic B. Danube Adria Association for Automation and Manufacturing DAAAM International – Background History, Aims, Structure and Future Ueda K.; Fujii N. & Vaario J. Animation of Biological Manufacturing Systems- one describes biological manufacturing system, a new concept of the next generation manufacturing syste, which combines factory simulation as an adaptive system with self-organization and virtual reality technology. Gil S. Analysis of Deformation of Modular Drilling Fixtures – the paper contains considerations concerning deformations of the modular drilling fixture components and determination of the effects of the dynamic phenomena on the main parameters of the fixtures design. Brezocnik M. & Balic J. System for Discovering and Optimizing of Mathematical Models Using Genetic Programming and Genetic Algorithms – a system for discovering and optimizing various mathematical models is proposed. In the first part unknown mathematical models on the basis of empirical given data are presented. In the second part parameters of the discovered mathematical models are presented. Alpek F., Falman L. Mihalcz I. & Berkes G. Increasing the Flexibility and the Reliability of Robotized Assembly Cells – the paper gives a short survey about the development-activity and results in the field of robotized assembly, which where realized at TU Budapest.     Lecturer Catalin DUMITRAS, Ph.D. Lecturer Nicolae SEGHEDIN, Ph.D.

The symposium was organized by DAAAM International Vienna, Vienna University of Technology and Austrian Society of Engineers and Architects – ÖIAV 1848. In the following we mention some of the representative published papers: Badjgholi, F. & Kittl, B. EMPLOYING EXPERT SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY FOR AUTOMATIC TOOL SELECTION The "WOWESS" expert system constitutes an important complement to CAD/NC coupling assistants, supporting tool selection for milling operations according to set target criteria. The system’s benefits lie in its flexibility to adapt to existing tool data bases, and, most important, in its ability to integrate company-specific decision criteria in the form of individually definable rules. Bahtijarevi?-Šiber, F. & Pološki, N. THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY ON HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Rapid development of technology influences all aspects and all business functions of today’s companies while doing business, as well as human resource management. Technology emphasizes the importance of people for organizational success. Technology leads to changes in work and career. Organizations should become "learning organizations" and managers should conduct new management style. Balát?, J. & Princ, M. ANALYSIS OF HYDRAULIC AND HEAT RELATIONS IN CIRCLE HEAT SUPPLY NETWORKS This work deals with modelling and simulation of heat networks. A complex computational program for pressure, flow and temperature ratio simulations in networks distributing heat was created in Delphi 3 environment. It calculates pressures and temperatures in particular places in the network, then flows, speeds, pressure and heat losses in particular pipelines. Croitoru, C.; Severincu, M. & Belous, V. DETERMINATION METHOD OF A MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR THE COEFFICIENT OF LONGITUDINAL CHIP CONTRACTION The plastic deformation of the machined material influences the power consumption, cutting tool life, productivity and last but not least, the costs of machining. An experimental research method on coefficient of the chip contraction applied in case of face milling process is presented. ?wik?a, G. & Knosala, R. PRODUCTION COST ESTIMATION BASING ON THE SEMANTIC NET This paper presents the fast cost estimation method of manufactured elements. The element similarity factors are calculated using the semantic net. In this method the shape and characteristic features of the elements are changed into a graph. The element is divided into functional surfaces, which have constructional and technological features. The thesis of the paper states that the pair of elements having high similarity factor also has similar manufacturing cost.  Farana, R. & Landryová, L. REMOTE MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION WITH USE OF INTERNET The rapid development of computer networks causes an infiltration of several applications,

implemented in the LAN environment, into the Internet. This contribution briefly introduces an application, which task is to monitor and visualize a system, its variables and values with their courses. The application is configured in a way which enables the provision of and access to data with the help of NetDDE in Windows 95/NT. A model demonstrating client-server communication is presented. Filonov, I.; Belajev, G. & Veryha, Y. A GLOBAL APPROACH TO OPTIMIZATION IN PATH-TRACKING FOR ROBOTIC MANIPULATORS This paper investigates the use of the optimization for trajectory planning of robotic manipulators. The consequent optimization based on the method of the expert evaluations that allows preliminary computer-aided ranging of the optimization criterions has been proposed. A method aiming at reducing joint reaction forces and torques has been developed. This method considers the contributions of both velocity and acceleration to the joint reaction forces and torques. Forrester, J.; Jarvis, C. & Staples, N. DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATED PROCESS FOR HANDLING MADE-TO-MEASURE APPARE Made-to-measure clothing predates the current industry standard of manufacturing clothing for standard sizes; however, it has always been a more expensive and time-consuming process. Through new software developments and the integration of the existing software, the time and cost of the pre-production manufacturing process have been significantly reduced. By improving the accuracy of measurement data received by the manufacturer, the cost of remaking garments has also been reduced. Jacobs, H.-J.; Dürr, H.; Heinrich, S. & Reichelt, A. THE HOLONIC STEERING WHEEL – A NEW APPROACH TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN PRODUCTION PLANNING, SCHEDULING AND MANUFACTURING ON CNC MACHINE TOOLS At present, automation embraces the entire enterprise starting from the stage of production planning, scheduling, manufacturing up to manufacturing control. Competition on market first of all demands being able to keep deadlines and product quality. These requirements must be fulfilled whereas the product assortment itself becomes more and more manifold, up to single part production. This phenomenon cannot only be kept by sophisticated models at the top of a business. It has to be answered by flexible reaction on the bottom. Ueda, K. LEARNING APPROACHES TO AUTONOMOUS ROBOTS IN BIOLOGICAL MANUFACTURING SYSTEM A concept of biological manufacturing systems (BMS) that is based on biologically-inspired ideas of self-organization, evolution, and learning, is discussed in this paper. Autonomous mobility is one of the essential requirement for such elements of BMS as transporters carrying products to the manufacturing cells. A classifier system, implementing reinforcement learning (RL) control of autonomous robots, is then presented. The proposed system is tested under experiment for a navigation task for a mobile robot, and for the acquisition of stable gaits by an eight-legs locomotion robot.         Lecturer Catalin DUMITRAS, Ph.D. Lecturer Nicolae SEGHEDIN, Ph.D.

This book has been written as a second level course for engineering students. The first edition was published in 1986, after which reprinted with corrections in 1988 and reprinted in 1989 and 1992. The second edition was published in 1998. We refer to this one. This book aims to provide an understanding of the basic properties of materials: of how these are controlled by processing; of how materials are formed, joined and finished and of the chain of reasoning that leads to a successful choice. The authors group materials into four classes: Metals, Ceramics, Polymers and Composites. The chapters are arranged in groups, with a group of chapters, to describe each of the four classes of materials. In each group the major families of materials that go to make up each material class are introduced. The main

microstructural features of the class are outlined, showing how to process or treat the material to get the structures and the properties that are expected. Each group of chapters is illustrated by "case Studies" designed to help the understanding of the basic material. Finally the role of materials in the designing of the engineering devices, mechanisms or structures is underlined and a methodology for materials selection is developed. At the end of each chapter there are a set of problems. This book provides a concise introduction to the microstructures and processing of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers and composites) and shows how these are related to the properties required in the engineering design. Associate Prof. Maria Rodica NEAGU, Ph. D.

Die Verfahren der Kaltmassivumformung ermöglichen die Fertigung von Werkstücken mit guter Maßgenauigkeit und hoher Werkstoffausnutzung, wobei in vielen Fällen keine spanende Nachbearbeitung erforderlich ist. Der Themenband gibt eine Überblick über wichtige Entwicklungen bei Werkzeugen und Werzeugwerkstoffen. Ein Schwerpunkt ist die Entwicklung von Stadienplänen und Werkzeugen für das Kaltfließpressen, wobei auch der Einsatz neuartiger Werkzeugwerkstoffe behandelt wird. Besondere Beachtung wird auch dem Werkzeugversagen und seiner Beherrschung gewidmet. Diese Thematik wird vertieft durch Berichte über Industrieerfahrungen mit

Verschleißschutzbeschichtungen, insbesondere durch lonenstrahlbehandlung. Das Buch wird abgerundet durch eine praxisnahe Darstellung der Rechnersimulation von Umformvorgängen mit Hilfe der Finite-Element-Methode. Die Interessenten: Der Themenband wendet sich an Ingenieure und Techniker in Entwicklung, Konstruktion, Fertigungsplanung und Fertigung in metallverarbeitenden Betrieben, vor allem in Fließpressereien und Härtereien.