I was excited to review this book as I believe there is a genuine need for a book dedicated to the materials and manufacturing processes relevant to aerospace engineering. Unfortunately, I think this book misses the mark and falls between two stools. It identifies many of the processes but doesn't go into sufficient depth to demonstrate their specific relevance to aerospace. The book gives a review of the manufacturing processes used in the aerospace industry and includes a very useful review of aircraft design and materials used for various components. This is then linked to the relevant manufacturing processes and provides a wide coverage of design, materials and appropriate processes.
In most areas of manufacturing, the coverage is of an introductory nature and a number of important manufacturing processes are given little coverage. For example, casting is hardly dealt with, there is no mention of additive manufacturing processes and the section on machining is very basic and not specifically related to aerospace. There is no section on assembly yet there are several chapters on forming processes.
To illustrate the point, it is useful to look at one chapter in detail. On machining, the chapter covers the basic principles and formulae associated with metal cutting. It also identifies the major materials, aluminium, titanium and nickel alloys. Several machining types are identified but the relationship between machine design and material type is not discussed. For example, would the specification of a machining centre to make aluminium parts be the same as a machining centre to make titanium parts? When would a high-speed spindle be appropriate? How does high-speed machining change the machining performance and what are the implications for component design? For instance, high-speed machining of aluminium has increased the focus on large monolithic parts that in turn reduces assembly and reduces tolerance build up issues. The reference to 5 axis machining is not extensive and the benefits of 5 axis and also mill-turns are not discussed. Appropriate questions are not raised and answered i.e., What is the difference between a horizontal and vertical spindle machine; when is one more appropriate?
The section on machining composites mentions delamination when hole drilling but does not suggest how this can be avoided. The chapter doesn't mention the hazard associated with carbon fibres damaging the electrical equipment and controllers on other machines and the potential of carbon fibre to clog and cause abrasive wear of slide ways is not discussed.
The economics of machining described suggests that the cost of machining is cutting cost, idle cost, tool changing cost, grinding cost and maintenance cost. No mention of how these figures are arrived at. There is no mention of machine depreciation, operator cost, fixturing cost, power, etc.
Diagrams are generally appropriate and add to the understanding of the text. Photographs, however, add little if anything and are generally of poor quality and not very helpful.
Overall, the book gives a very general review of aerospace manufacturing processes. As an introduction to the processes used in aerospace manufacturing it is useful, but it really needs to be used as a primer to introduce the processes rather than provide an in-depth analysis of the technologies introduced.
