The wide variety of topics encompassed here covers the complete area of computer-aided manufacturing, including part-design specification, process engineering, fixed automation, programmable logic controllers for manufacturing applications, data communication and local area networking in  manufacturing,  numerical control (NC) and NC programming, introduction to robotics, group technology and process planning, the application of artificial intelligence in manufacturing, computer-aided process planning, integrated computer-aided manufacturing, and planning of manufacturing systems. The book covers a variety of important topics, from robot arm dynamics to manufacturing planning using simulation; from the use of local area networks in manufacturing to machining process optimization; from the economic analysis to justify automation to the use of expert systems in flexible manufacturing cell control; from an introduction to drafting, dimensioning, and tolerancing to the application of generative process planning. The length of the book is reasonable considering the number and variety of topics covered.

The objective of this comprehensive book is to provide the reader with a good overview of modern manufacturing together with the planning, design, and analysis of manufacturing systems. The book is well written and supported by a large selection of illustrative examples. Each chapter contains a number of good problems for the reader to solve and a set of detailed references for additional reading. It is a good text for related undergraduate courses. As the subjects included are too numerous to allow detailed coverage of all of the topics, it is not intended for the specialist, but it makes a good reference for professionals working in related areas.