Abstract
The theoretical basis is given for a class of mathematically well defined NNπ models. They are designed to describe nucleon-nucleon scattering, pion-nucleon scattering, pion-deuteron scattering, pion production, and absorption. The elementary degrees of freedom of the models are the nucleon, the Δ isobar, and the pion. The models are relativistic and do not require renormalization.