Reverse Engineering: Mechanisms, Structures, Systems & Materials

A comprehensive look at reverse engineering as a legitimate learning, design, and troubleshooting toolThis unique book examines the often underappreciated and occasionally maligned technique of reverse engineering. More than a shortcut for the lazy or unimaginative to reproduce an artless copy of an existing creation, reverse engineering is an essential brick - if not a keystone - in the pathway to a society's technological advancement.Written by an engineer who began teaching after years in industry, Reverse Engineering reviews this meticulous analytical process with a breadth and depth as never before. Find out how to: Learn by "e;mechanical dissection"e;Deduce the role, purpose, and functionality of a designed entityIdentify materials-of-construction and methods-of-manufacture by observation aloneAssess the suitability of a design to purpose from form and fitThe rich heritage of engineering breakthroughs enabled by reverse engineering is also discussed. This is not a dry textbook. It is the engaging and enlightening account of the journey of engineering from the astounding creations of ancient cultures to what, with the aid of reverse engineering, promises to be an even more astounding future!Coverage includes: Methods of product teardownFailure analysis and forensic engineeringDeducing or inferring role, purpose, and functionality during reverse engineeringThe Antikythera mechanismIdentifying materials-of-constructionInferring methods-of-manufacture or -constructionConstruction of Khufu's pyramidAssessing design suitabilityValue and production engineeringReverse engineering of materials and substancesReverse engineering of broken, worn, or obsolete parts for remanufactureThe law and the ethics of reverse engineering