A thermodynamic framework for analyzing and improving manufacturing processes

In this paper, we present the formulation of a framework for the quantitative thermodynamic analysis of manufacturing processes and systems. Since manufacturing typically involves the input of high-quality material/energy and/or dissipation of low-quality energy/waste to manipulate a material, an approach that combines both the first and the second laws of thermodynamics is appropriate. This formulation helps emphasize that the improvement of manufacturing processes and systems is more a question of both utilizing the quantity and conserving the quality of energy than merely conserving energy. We conclude with two examples of its application, the first a comparison of metal casting technologies and the second a contrast between high-throughput CNC machining and a slower process rate grinding operation.