Developed from several workshops on artificial intelligence in manufacturing, this book is organized into parts on applications in design and planning, scheduling and control, and manufacturing integration. The following topics are covered in detail: application of machine learning to industrial planning, geometric reasoning using feature algebra, backward assembly planning, symmetry groups in solid model–based assembly planning, expert system approaches to economic evaluation of machining operations, interactive problem solving in production planning, different approaches to scheduling, robot control systems in manufacturing, and integrated software systems for intelligent manufacturing.

The 18 sections of the book, written by 36 contributors, are intended as references for specialists with previous knowledge in this field. The book is not intended as a textbook, nor is it useful for novices in this area. Although the sections are well written and comprehensive, the book as a whole lacks cohesion and continuity. The book was up to date at the time of writing, but this field is developing fast, and what was new in 1992 can become obsolete quickly.