The integration of manufacturing constraints and their optImIzation within the design process of mechanical products and systems are now an industrial priority. Following the first two IDMME conferences in Nantes in 1996 and Compiegne in 1998, the purpose of the IDMME'2000 conference was to present recent developments in these areas and new areas within the product and process development theme. The original initiative of the conference is mainly due to the efforts of the French AIP-PRIMECA group (Pool of Computer Resources for Mechanics). The organizing committee and the local organizing institutions (Concordia University, Ecole Poly technique de Montreal, and McGill University) contributed to the success of the conference. The presentation of 190 papers and the presence of more than 225 researchers coming from more than 20 countries demonstrate the success of the initiative. This book contains 57 of these papers selected by an International Scientific Committee: Chairman: C. Fortin (Canada) Co-chairmen: P. Chedmail (France), G. Cognet (France), C. Mascle (Canada), J. Pegna (Canada) J. Angeles (Canada) P. Martin (France) J. L. Batoz (France) C. McMahon (U. K. ) J. C.
Bocquet (France) M. Mantyla (Finland) A. - Bernard (France) J. L. Maxwell (USA) P. Bourdet (France) N. M. Patrikalakis (USA) A Clement (France) J. P. Pelle (France) D. Cochran (USA) B. Peseux (France) D. Coutellier (France) D. Play (France) A- Dalsky (Russia) M. Pratt (USA) D. A. Dornfeld (USA) B. Ravani (USA) D. Deneux (France) A. Riviere (France) G. Gogu (France) C.