1 Introduction

1.1 Making a product

In this course you are going to study how designs are turned into products: the resources, materials and methods used; and specifically the set of activities that goes under the heading of 'manufacturing'.

Any design is only useful if it can be made into a product. Remember that an invention is only patentable if it is capable of being manufactured. So there has to be a way of making it, using materials that have the required properties and processes that produce the desired product at a reasonable cost. The design of a product, the materials from which it is made and the manufacturing process route are all mutually interdependent.