The manufacturing processes are subdivided into six main groups.

Figure 1.1: Types of production process

Of these six main groups, this book will study metal forming processes (Fig 1.2) and shearing processes (Fig. 1.3).

Figure 1.3: (left) Types of shearing method

Metal forming is producing parts by plastic modification of the shape of a solid body.

During this process, both mass and material cohesion are maintained.

Shearing is separating adjacent parts of a workpiece, or shearing apart whole workpieces without creating chips.

With the separation processes, a difference is made between shearing and wedge-action cutting according to the form of the blade.

In industry, shearing is of greater importance (Fig. 1.4).

Figure 1.4: (top) Cutting.
a) Wedge-action cutting, b) Shearing