In today's business environment, reliability and maintenance drastically affect the three key elements of competitiveness - quality, cost, and product lead time. Well-maintained machines hold tolerances better, help reduce scrap and rework, and raise consistency and quality of the part in addition to cutting total production costs. Today, many factories are still performing maintenance on equipment in a reactive manner due to a lack of understanding about machine performance behaviour. To improve production efficiency, computer-aided maintenance and diagnostic methodology must be applied effectively in manufacturing. This book focuses on the fundamental principles of predictive maintenance and diagnostic engineering. In addition to covering the relevant theory, techniques and methodologies in maintenance engineering, the book also provides numerous case studies and examples illustrating the successful application of the principles and techniques outlined.

The need exists in the private sector and government manufacturing sites to reduce product development time, production lead times, inventory, and non-value added activities. At the same time, there is increased pressure to improve manufacturing process yields, produc tion efficiency, and resource utilization. Much of the technology required to meet these needs already exists, but an integrated structure that can demonstrate the potential for the technology in a concurrent engineering context does not. This book provides a road map for building the integrated technology environment to evaluate existing products, manufacturing processes and system design tools. This book details innovative approaches that will significantly improve design/manufacturing technology development and deploy ment capabilities for civilian and defense applications. These approaches are integrated product, process, and system design (IPPSD) initiatives which will greatly enhance the manufacturing competitiveness of the economy. These approaches involve the use of simulation, modeling tools and computerized virtual workstations in conjunction with a design environment which allows a diverse group of researchers, manufacturers, and suppliers to work within a comprehensive network of shared knowledge. The IPPSD infrastructure consists of virtual workstations, servers and a suite of simulation, quantitative, computa tional, analytical, experimental and qualitative tools. Such an IPPSD infrastructure will permit effective and efficient predictions of complete product design, manufacturing proces design, and customer satisfac tion."

The need exists in the private sector and government manufacturing sites to reduce product development time, production lead times, inventory, and non-value added activities. At the same time, there is increased pressure to improve manufacturing process yields, produc tion efficiency, and resource utilization. Much of the technology required to meet these needs already exists, but an integrated structure that can demonstrate the potential for the technology in a concurrent engineering context does not. This book provides a road map for building the integrated technology environment to evaluate existing products, manufacturing processes and system design tools. This book details innovative approaches that will significantly improve design/manufacturing technology development and deploy ment capabilities for civilian and defense applications. These approaches are integrated product, process, and system design (IPPSD) initiatives which will greatly enhance the manufacturing competitiveness of the economy. These approaches involve the use of simulation, modeling tools and computerized virtual workstations in conjunction with a design environment which allows a diverse group of researchers, manufacturers, and suppliers to work within a comprehensive network of shared knowledge. The IPPSD infrastructure consists of virtual workstations, servers and a suite of simulation, quantitative, computa tional, analytical, experimental and qualitative tools. Such an IPPSD infrastructure will permit effective and efficient predictions of complete product design, manufacturing proces design, and customer satisfac tion.

In today's business environment, reliability and maintenance drastically affect the three key elements of competitiveness - quality, cost, and product lead time. Well-maintained machines hold tolerances better, help reduce scrap and rework, and raise consistency and quality of the part in addition to cutting total production costs. Today, many factories are still performing maintenance on equipment in a reactive manner due to a lack of understanding about machine performance behaviour. To improve production efficiency, computer-aided maintenance and diagnostic methodology must be applied effectively in manufacturing. This book focuses on the fundamental principles of predictive maintenance and diagnostic engineering. In addition to covering the relevant theory, techniques and methodologies in maintenance engineering, the book also provides numerous case studies and examples illustrating the successful application of the principles and techniques outlined.

Cell surface engineering is an emerging field concerning cell surface modifications to enhance its functionalities. The book introduces the reader to the area of surface-functionalized cells and summarizes recent developments in the area including fabrication, characterization, applications and nanotoxicity. Topics covered include recent approaches for the functionalization of cells with nanomaterials (polymer nanofilms and nanoparticles), fabrication of functional biomimetic devices and assemblies based on nanoparticle-modified microbial cells and artificial spores (the bioinspired encapsulation of living cells with tough nanoshells) The book provides an interdisciplinary approach to the topic with authors from both biological and chemical backgrounds. This multidisciplinary view makes the book suitable for those interested in biomaterials, biochemistry, microbiology and colloid chemistry, providing both an introduction for postgraduate students as well as a comprehensive summary for those already working in the area biomaterials, biochemistry, microbiology and colloid chemistry.