Metal casting is the process of producing metal or alloy component parts. In casting the metal is heated sufficiently to make it into liquid and then poured into moulds of the desired shape. Casting is most often used for making complex shapes so that would be difficult or uneconomical to make by other methods. Welding is a fabrication process that joins materials usually metals by using high heat to melt the parts together and allowing them to cool causing fusion. Many different energy sources can be used for welding including gas flame, electric arc, a laser and electron beam, friction and ultrasonic. Our hope is that this book, through its careful explanations and concepts and its use of sketches and figures bridges the gap between knowledge and proper application of that knowledge.
