Today, products are being rapidly designed, with fewer parts, at lower cost, with higher quality and greater consideration for efficient production, the environment, and consumer safety. Several important trends have emerged that have a direct influence on design and production include the following:

• Global competition—the production of high-quality, low-cost goods by many nations, marketed throughout the world.
• Total quality management (TQM)—in industries throughout the world, companywide efforts to improve the quality of goods produced.
• Integrated automation and the use of advanced technology—increased use of computer hardware, software, machine tools, and controls provides the flexibility and ability to change volume, products, and designs quickly and efficiently. The time required to get a product to market is reduced.
• Worker involvement—more participation in decision making and problem solving at lower levels in organizations.
• Environmental issues—environmentally more acceptable pollution control and waste disposal.

This chapter introduces the issues of integration in manufacturing; manufacturing planning, controlling, and processing; quality; and new philosophies driving manufacturing. Because engineering drawings and graphic models are used to communicate throughout the manufacturing enterprise, it is necessary to have a basic understanding of manufacturing production processes and practices, and their effects on the finished product. A modern manufacturing operation will often emphasize quality and automation along with the new production initiatives to reduce waste and improve the flow of materials and information as it works toward the goal of better serving its customers.