Smart Devices and Machines for Advanced Manufacturing

While machines are becoming more and more intelligent through integration with new technologies including sensors, controls, computers and even the Internet, machine structures and theories have also advanced, most noticeably in the area of parallel kinematic machines and micro machines. With increasingly complex manufacturing systems and processes, more intelligent and unique devices and machines are needed to support manufacturing operations. Smart Devices and Machines for Advanced Manufacturing presents a focussed collection of quality chapters on the state-of-the-art of research efforts in the area of smart devices and novel machine design, as well as their practical applications to enable advanced manufacturing. The book consists of two major sections, with the first section presenting a broad-based review of several key areas of research in smart devices and machines, whereas the second section is focussed on presenting an in-depth treatment of a particular device or machine, from a parallel kinematic mechanism to a conventional robotic attachment. Smart Devices and Machines for Advanced Manufacturing will be of interest to a broad readership, from manufacturing and industrial engineers to researchers and postgraduates in computer-integrated manufacturing and computer-aided design and manufacturing. Manufacturing has been one of the key areas that support and influence a nation’s economy since the 18th century. Being the primary driving force in economic growth, manufacturing constantly serves as the foundation of and contributes to other industries. In the past centuries, manufacturing has contributed to the modern civilisation and created momentum that is continuously driving today’s economy. Despite various revolutionary changes and innovations in the 20th…