Chapter 9: Like Nature IntendedSaul Griffith

Key Words Just-In-Time manufacturing technologies Iterative process

Who is Saul Griffith? A doctoral student at MIT Develops a new manufacturing system for eye glass lenses. Is interested in Just-In-Time manufacturing systems Created a desktop lens-making machine Developed an inexpensive machine that can be used by

anyone anywhere to diagnose vision problems.

Saul Griffith is a …A.An biomechanical engineer

B.A doctoral student

C.An biomedical engineer

D.A CAD technician

What is the primary reason that eyeglasses are expensive, Saul says?

A. Because materials are expensive.

B. Because it costs a lot for shipping.

C.Because optometrists make a lot of money.

D.Because stores keeps vast inventories of products

What was the solution to bring the price down?

A.Engineers Design Process

B.Just-In-Time manufacturing system

C.Butch production

D.Assembly line system

List two kinds of composite materials, two kinds of synthetic materials, and two kinds of natural materials Composite

Concrete, asphalt, any metal alloy, etc. Synthetic

Cellophane, polyurethane, polypropylene, etc. Natural

Cotton, wool, wood, etc.

Connecting the Dots Manufacturing systems don’t just involve making a product.

They also involve getting the product to the people who will use it. How does the inventory of New Balance Shoes in a sporting goods store compare to the inventory of lenses in an eyeglasses store? A store has room for only a few hundred shoes, which is enough

to fit most people. Eyeglass stores must store thousands of lenses because there are so many possible corrective lenses.

What do you think? Saul Griffith is clearly motivated by the desire to help people

in developing countries, not just to make money. Yet he says that money is very important. What does he mean by this? Why is money so important in engineering? It costs money to develop most new technologies, and even more

to mass produce them. If engineers and manufacturers don’t have the funding to develop new technologies, those technologies simply won’t get made