This book presents the latest advances in mechanical and materials engineering applied to the
machining joining and modification of modern engineering materials. The contributions cover
the classical fields of casting forming and injection moulding as representative manufacturing
methods whereas additive manufacturing methods (rapid prototyping and laser sintering) are
treated as more innovative and recent technologies that are paving the way for the
manufacturing of shapes and features that traditional methods are unable to deliver. The book
also explores water jet cutting as an innovative cutting technology that avoids the heat
build-up typical of classical mechanical cutting. It introduces readers to laser cutting as an
alternative technology for the separation of materials and to classical bonding and friction
stir welding approaches in the context of joining technologies. In many cases forming and
machining technologies require additional post-treatment to achieve the required level of
surface quality or to furnish a protective layer. Accordingly sections on laser treatment
shot peening and the production of protective layers round out the book's coverage.
