Editorial

Abstract

This issue of the Journal illustrates the range and depth of modern mechanical design theory. It is a tribute both to our community and the diligence and commitment of our former Editor, the late Prof. Lung-Wen Tsai. I am honored to follow in his footsteps to serve this creative, energetic and diverse community of scholar-engineers. Submissions to the Journal are reaching 300 papers per year addressing mechanical design theory and practice applied to components such as cams, gearing, and linkages, and systems such as robots, vehicles, machine tools and product families, as well as to general issues in the form of design for manufacturing, reliability and failure prevention. About 100 papers are published yearly, but this is the tip of an iceberg of formalized scholarly discussion in which reviewers comment on and authors edit their work over an extended period of time. At the moment more than 600 reviews are being generated to assist hundreds of authors world-wide under the supervision of 18 associate editors. In an activity of this magnitude it is easy for an author to feel lost. The Editors of this Journal have used electronic databases for years to track paper status, and they are only an e-mail message away from an anxious author. However, now by using the electronic submission tool implemented by ASME Publications, authors can track the progress of their own paper as it moves through review and even to publication. Every day your colleagues, who are Associate Editors, and I see the confidence that authors place in us to evaluate their best work. Our response is a continuing commitment to excellence and efficiency.