On Offer SHAI's contribution to mechanical engineering and design

This paper presents the contribution of Offer Shai to mechanical engineering and design. Over a period of three decades Shai has created an impressive research program that is founded on solid mathematical grounds - combinatorial representations of systems. On this foundation he made contributions that ranged from inventing new concepts in mechanics (e.g., face force), new ways to characterize systems (e.g., singularity positions), new ways to create building blocks to model discrete systems (e.g., Assur graphs and their synthesis), and new methods in design (e.g., infused design). This paper summarizes some of these contributions in an attempt to describe the breadth and depth and attract researchers to continue develop his ideas.