AESOS PRELIMS - Reviewer

Manufacturing

Application of physical & chemical processes to alter geometry, properties, or appearance of a material and/or assemble parts into products.

Manufacturing (vs. Production)

Focuses on making tangible goods.

Production (vs. Manufacturing)

Broader, covering all economic outputs.

Primary Industrial Category

Exploit natural resources (agriculture, mining, forestry).

Secondary Industrial Category

Convert primary outputs into consumer & capital goods (automotive, electronics, chemicals).

Tertiary Industrial Category

Service sector (health, banking, retail, education).

Consumer Goods

Satisfy direct wants; classified into durable & non-durable.

Capital Goods

Purchased by firms to produce other goods/services; subject to wear & replacement (machinery, tools).

Processing Operations

Modify material’s geometry/properties/appearance.

Assembly Operations

Join two + components to create new entity.

Technological Processing Capability

Set of available manufacturing processes & expertise.

Physical Product Capability

Size & weight limits of items a plant can produce.

Production Capacity

Maximum output rate (equipment + labor time available).

Metals

Usually alloys, including ferrous (iron-based) and non-ferrous (Al, Cu, Ni, Ti, etc.).

Ferrous Metals

Iron-based metals, such as steels (less than or equal to 2.11\% C) and cast irons (2.12–4\% C).

Ceramics

Compounds of metallic/semi-metallic + non-metallic elements, like clay, \text{Al}2\text{O}3, and silica-based glasses.

Polymers

Long-chain molecules from repeating mers, including thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers.

Thermoplastics

Polymers that are reheatable (e.g., PE, PVC, Nylon).

Thermosets

Polymers that are permanently cross-linked (e.g., epoxies, phenolics).

Elastomers

Polymers with high elasticity (e.g., natural rubber, neoprene).

Composites

Materials made of two or more phases processed separately, then bonded (fibers/particles in matrix) to achieve superior combined properties.

Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing

Goal: efficient resource use & minimal environmental impact; also termed green/clean/sustainable manufacturing.