This free online course begins by introducing the principles of manufacturing. We explain the primary definitions and goals of manufacturing and identify its various processes with examples. This lets us map each process and link them to the resulting types of product.

We then delve into the ‘manufacturing revolutions’ of the past as we examine some notable inventions from the pre-industrial era and the Industrial Revolution, including the Iron Pillar in Delhi, the Venetian Arsenal and Great Britain’s 32-pounder cannon of 1805. We also take a close look at the distinct eras of manufacturing: mass production, mass customization and mass personalization.

Finally, we study the various ‘laws of manufacturing’, the relevant business models and the applications and impact of ‘technology radar’. The course illustrates how some emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), machine learning and so on are currently utilized to advance the manufacturing industry. Such knowledge enables you to anticipate change and get ahead of the curve.