An excellent overview of manufacturing concepts is provided with a balance of relevant fundamentals and real-world practices. Coverage of the latest technological advances, like rapid prototyping, the most dramatic change in manufacturing in recent years. Also includes coverage of nanofabrication, rapid tooling, and semisolid metalworking (Chapter 20) Lists and process comparisons give students a through look at manufacturing processes and operations. The chapters on specific groups of manufacturing processes and operations feature lists of typical parts produced by the processes described in the chapter, as well as a list of competing and alternative processes to produce the same types of parts. Four kinds of end-of-chapter problems help reinforce concepts in each chapter: Review Questions; Qualitative Problems; Quantitative Problems; and Synthesis, Design, and Projects. Comprehensive bibliographies are far more complete than any other manufacturing textbooks.