Special issue: Advanced manufacturing tooling

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology 28(1) 2007 is a special issue: Advanced manufacturing tooling.
Manufacturing involves intensive tooling operations. Since tooling is part of manufacturing systems and also part of manufacturing processes, it is necessary to integrate the tooling development, such as design, analysis, simulation, control, and management, into system planning and process verification. As new manufacturing technologies, systems and processes, such as laser processing and micro/nanomanufacturing, are being developed rapidly, the tooling becomes a contributive factor in reducing the product/process development cycle time with ensured quality and low cost. Nowadays, with more and more outsourcing in manufacturing, tooling techniques face new challenges to adapt and be driven by supplier-based manufacturing strategy. In recent years, the application of computer modelling, simulation, analysis, optimisation, and management techniques in tooling has been increasingly studied and has played important roles in supporting the development of new products and the improvement of existing production systems, especially in supporting mass customisation.

The purpose of this special issue is to provide a forum for the dissemination of information in the state-of-the-art research. The issue includes 15 papers, covering topics from traditional machining to micro-nanoscale machining processes; from fixture moulding to machining tools; from cutter design to laser sintering-based rapid tooling; and from tool-condition monitoring to manufacturing process optimisation.