P. Dewhurst

University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Rhode Island

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

P. Dewhurst is a pioneering researcher in the field of design for assembly (DFA) and robotic automation, whose work throughout the 1980s and early 1990s helped transform how engineers approach product design in manufacturing environments. Best known for developing systematic database procedures and analytical tools — available as handbooks and IBM-compatible software — Dewhurst provided engineers with practical frameworks to evaluate and optimize assembly processes across manual, high-speed automatic, and robotic contexts. His landmark contributions to robotic assembly are particularly noteworthy: he demonstrated how thoughtful design decisions made early in the product development cycle could dramatically reduce the costs associated with robot-based assembly, including the often-overlooked expenses of parts presentation and automatic handling. His 1987 work on "Design for Assembly in Action" remains among his most recognized contributions, while his series of papers on robot assembly economics — covering parts presentation costs, automatic handling, and part feeding — collectively earned over 30 citations and established a coherent methodology for cost-conscious automation design. Later work incorporating group technology to classify design features further extended his influence. Dewhurst's research continues to serve as foundational reading for engineers and students seeking to bridge product design with efficient, automated manufacturing.