A SMALL SPA MANUFACTURER TEAMED UP WITH A MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTER IN A PLANT WIDE MANUFACTURING IMPROVEMENT EFFORT. AS PART OF THAT PROJECT, THE TEAM INVESTIGATED THE FEASIBILITY OF APPLYING CAD/CAM AND CNC TO THE TOOL DESIGN PROCESS. THIS PAPER IS A CASE STUDY OF THE PROJECT. IT DESCRIBES HOW COMPUTER DESIGN, MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY, AND NEW MATERIALS, HELPED REDUCE THE COST OF DESIGN BY 66%.
