Modern engineering practice requires advanced numerical modeling because, among other things, it reduces the costs associated with prototyping or predicting the occurrence of potentially dangerous situations during operation in certain defined conditions. Thus far, different methods have been used to implement the real structure into the numerical version. The most popular uses have been variations of the finite element method (FEM). The aim of this Special Issue has been to familiarize the reader with the latest applications of the FEM for the modeling and analysis of diverse mechanical problems. Authors are encouraged to provide a concise description of the specific application or a potential application of the Special Issue.

This book contains the papers presented at the international research sympo sium "Solid Modeling by Computers: From Theory to Applications," held at the General Motors Research Laboratories on September 25-27, 1983. This was the 28th syposium in aseries which the Research Laboratories began sponsor ing in 1957. Each symposium has focused on a topic that is both under active study at the Research Laboratories and is also of interest to the larger technical community. Solid modeling is still a very young research area, young even when com pared with other computer-related research fields. Ten years ago, few people recognized the importance of being able to create complete and unambiguous computer models of mechanical parts. Today there is wide recognition that computer representations of solids are aprerequisite for the automation of many engineering analyses and manufacturing applications. In September 1983, the time was ripe for a symposium on this subject. Re search had already demonstrated the efficacy of solid modeling as a tool in computer automated design and manufacturing, and there were significant re suIts wh ich could be presented at the symposium. Yet the field was still young enough that we could bring together theorists in solid modeling and practition ers applying solid modeling to other research areas in a group sm all enough to allow a stimulating exchange of ideas.

Since its very existence as a separate field within computer science, computer graphics had to make extensive use of non-trivial mathematics, for example, projective geometry, solid modelling, and approximation theory. This interplay of mathematics and computer science is exciting, but also makes it difficult for students and researchers to assimilate or maintain a view of the necessary mathematics. The possibilities offered by an interdisciplinary approach are still not fully utilized. This book gives a selection of contributions to a workshop held near Genoa, Italy, in October 1991, where a group of mathematicians and computer scientists gathered to explore ways of extending the cooperation between mathematics and computer graphics.

This book introduces readers to key ideas and applications of computational algebraic geometry. Beginning with the discovery of Gröbner bases and fueled by the advent of modern computers and the rediscovery of resultants, computational algebraic geometry has grown rapidly in importance. The fact that "crunching equations" is now as easy as "crunching numbers" has had a profound impact in recent years. At the same time, the mathematics used in computational algebraic geometry is unusually elegant and accessible, which makes the subject easy to learn and easy to apply. This book begins with an introduction to Gröbner bases and resultants, then discusses some of the more recent methods for solving systems of polynomial equations. A sampler of possible applications follows, including computer-aided geometric design, complex information systems, integer programming, and algebraic coding theory. The lectures in this book assume no previous acquaintance with the material.

"Developments in Computer-Integrated Manufacturing" arose from the joint work of members of the IFIP-Working Group 5.3 - Discrete Manufacturing, and other IFIP members. Within the Technical Committee 5 of the International Federation of Information Processing (lFIP) the aim of this Working Group is the advancement of computers and their application to the field of discrete part manufacturing. Capabilities will be expanded in the general areas of planning, selection, and con trol of manufacturing equipment and systems. Tools for problem solution include: mathematics, geometry, algorithms, computer techniques, and manufacturing technology. This technology will influence many industries - machine tool, auto mation, aircraft, appliance, and electronics, to name but a few. The Working Group undertook the following specific tasks: 1. To maintain liaison with other national and international organizations work ing in the same field, cooperating with them whenever desirable to further the common goal 2. To be responsible for the IFIP's work in organizing and presenting the PRO LAMA T Conferences 3. To conduct other working conferences and symposia as deemed appropriate in furthering its mission 4. To develop and sponsor research and industrial and social studies into the various aspects of its mission. The book can be regarded as an attempt to underline the main aspects of techno logy from the point of view of its software and hardware realization. Because of limitations in size and the availability of literature, the problems of robotics and quality control are not described in detail.