Design: a missing link in manufacturing strategy Available to Purchase

National Coal Board as an apprentice draughtsman, during which time many basic engineering skills were attained. Following his apprenticeship he studied for, and was awarded a degree in Mechanical Engineering and won an IMechE prize for project work relating to the design of squeeze‐film damper bearings. Following his degree the author continued with the National Coal Board for several years as an engineering designer before joining Spooner‐Vicars as a strategic planning engineer. While with Vicars the author was involved with a number of strategic projects, including capital investment in CAD, CAM and machine tool systems. During this period the author also gained his PhD from UMIST. Recently the author joined De Montfort University as Senior Lecturer to continue research established during the PhD study. Industrial links are maintained,however, through collaborative industry/university research projects and teaching company schemes. He can be contacted at The School of Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH. Tel: 0116 255 1551;Fax: 0116 257 7052