Successful manufacturing requires mastery of a critical body of knowledge that includes essential concepts in applied mathematics, measurement and inspection, safety, and quality/lean. Materials are very important to manufacturing and determine how well your application performs. Today, options include metals, ceramics, plastics, and composites, to name a few. Machining best practices are specific to either the task or the device. For grinding, metal-cutting, or work holding, many tools can be used to complete the task. Every workplace requires an understanding of the essential safety practices and topics that help employees to avoid potential hazards.