In order to compete in the current commercial environment companies must produce greater product variety, at lower cost, all within a reduced product life cycle. To achieve this, a concurrent engineering philosophy is often adopted. In many cases the main realization of this is Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFM/A). There is a need for in-depth study of the architectures for DFM/A systems in order that the latest software and knowledge-based techniques may be used to deliver the DFM/A systems of tomorrow. This architecture must be based upon complete understanding of the issues involved in integrating the design and manufacturing domains. This book provides a comprehensive view of the capabilities of advanced DFM/A systems based on a common architecture.

In order to compete in the current commercial environment companies must produce greater product variety, at lower cost, all within a reduced product life cycle. To achieve this, a concurrent engineering philosophy is often adopted. In many cases the main realization of this is Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFM/A). There is a need for in-depth study of the architectures for DFM/A systems in order that the latest software and knowledge-based techniques may be used to deliver the DFM/A systems of tomorrow. This architecture must be based upon complete understanding of the issues involved in integrating the design and manufacturing domains. This book provides a comprehensive view of the capabilities of advanced DFM/A systems based on a common architecture.

"Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing: The Field of Knowledge" provides an analytical and critical introduction to the current state of knowledge in psychiatric and mental health nursing in the UK.

The first section of the book explores current professional, disciplinary and educational contexts. In the second section leading UK authors from diverse academic settings provide case studies of the knowledge and scientific traditions they draw on to inform their practice, understand patient needs, and foster different aspects of nursing practice.

In the final section the UK authors comment on each other's accounts. Those chapters and comments are then discussed by leading overseas academics to provide an invaluable international perspective. The final stage is a sociologically-informed analysis which identifies sociopolitical trends in order to make sense of the UK and international views. The editor then assesses the potential for intellectual integration and collective advance in psychiatric and mental health nursing.

Who and what are mental-health nurses now, and what might they become? In this book a number of prominent nurse educators and practitioners answer these questions. Each contributor presents a different version of the mental health nurse, thereby stimulating students, teachers and practitioners to read and think more widely about mental-health nursing. "The Mental Health Nurse" invites those contemplating a career in mental-health nursing to imagine shaping the future. For those established in this specialty, the book's dialogues help them reflect on their concepts of this nursing field. Written by a team of experienced practitioners in mental health, the chapters draw directly on personal experiences and research to highlight current problematic issues, and help readers to view long-established topics--including the role of the mental health nurse--in a new light. The book's premise is that because there is no clear consensus on this role, differing versions may be not only appropriate but desirable. Finally, the depth and range of experience of the contributors will also appeal to teachers of social sciences interested in current health care and professionalisation issues.