Manufacturing is the process of converting raw materials into products through various processes and operations. There are many manufacturing process options to consider such as casting, forming, machining, joining, and finishing. Key factors in choosing processes include the material, desired product geometry, production quantity, and product variety. Common manufacturing process examples for metals include casting, forming, machining, and joining. Plastics and composites can be molded, formed, machined, and joined. Production facilities are organized based on the production quantity and variety to efficiently manufacture products.