Computer-assisted Mechanical Design

Computer-assisted Mechanical Design - J. E. Akin

Computer‑Assisted Mechanical Design” edited by J. Edward Akin is a comprehensive reference work that examines how computers and digital tools have transformed the practice of mechanical design. Rather than being a straightforward textbook, the book is a collection of expert contributions that together explore the integration of computational methods, software systems and engineering design principles in the mechanical engineering discipline.

The narrative begins by outlining the historical shift from traditional drafting and calculation‑based design to computer‑supported workflows, showing how early CAD (Computer‑Aided Design) and CAM (Computer‑Aided Manufacturing) tools evolved to handle increasingly complex mechanical problems. From these foundations, the book moves to core themes such as geometric modelling, data structures for representing parts and assemblies, algorithms for curve and surface generation, and the role of computers in analysis, simulation and optimization of mechanical components and systems.