Manufacturing industries need to respond to ever-increasing demands for flexibility, quality, speed and economy to remain competitive. The ability to do so depends largely on an understanding of how and when modern computing and automation technology should be applied. David Williams shows how the hardware and software of automation technology can be harnessed to build successful manufacturing systems. Intended as a "primer" in manufacturing systems, this work concentrates on the technology that is applied on the shop floor to automate the manufacturing process. Modern automation techniques are placed in the context of manufacturing systems and more traditional production engineering approaches. This edition has been updated with new material, including sample course work, examination questions and a revised reading list. It provides a clear account of steps to automation for engineering students and practising engineers. It clarifies a vastly complex subject and covers all the essential aspects of principle and application in an accessible way. This book should be of interest to second and third year manufacturing engineering students and manufacturing engineers.