Manufacturing Classifications

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions and classifications of manufacturing processes and materials.

Manufacturing (Technological Definition)

The application of physical and chemical processes to alter geometry, properties, and appearance of materials to make products.

Manufacturing (Economic Definition)

The transformation of materials into products of greater value through processing and assembly operations.

Value adding

The process of increasing usefulness, desirability, or market value through manufacturing.

Material Categories

The four main types which include Metals, Ceramics, Polymers, and Composites.

Processing operations

Operations that change the geometry, properties, or appearance of a workpiece.

Assembly operations

Operations that join two or more components together.

Shaping operations

Processes that alter the geometry of a workpiece.

Property-enhancing operations

Processes that improve material properties without significantly changing the shape.

Surface-processing operations

Processes that improve surface characteristics.

Solidification processes

Processes where molten material solidifies into shape, such as casting.

Particulate processing

Manufacturing using powders compacted and bonded together, such as powder metallurgy.

Deformation processes

Processes that reshape material through applied forces, such as forging and rolling.

Material removal processes

Processes that create shape by removing material, such as milling and turning.

Additive processes

Processes that build parts by adding material layer-by-layer, such as SLS.

Manufacturing Classification Tree

Manufacturing → Processing Operations (Shaping → Solidification, Particulate, Deformation, Material Removal, Additive; Property Enhancing; Surface Processing) and Assembly Operations.