Machines have always gone hand-in-hand with the cultural development of m- kind throughout time. A book on the history of machines is nothing more than a specific way of bringing light to human events as a whole in order to highlight some significant milestones in the progress of knowledge by a complementary persp- tive into a general historical overview. This book is the result of common efforts and interests by several scholars, teachers, and students on subjects that are connected with the theory of machines and mechanisms. In fact, in this book there is a certain teaching aim in addition to a general historical view that is more addressed to the achievements by “homo faber” than to those by “homo sapiens”, since the proposed history survey has been developed with an engineering approach. The brevity of the text added to the fact that the authors are probably not com- tent to tackle historical studies with the necessary rigor, means the content of the book is inevitably incomplete, but it nevertheless attempts to fulfil three basic aims: First, it is hoped that this book may provide a stimulus to promote interest in the study of technical history within a mechanical engineering context. Few are the co- tries where anything significant is done in this area, which means there is a general lack of knowledge of this common cultural heritage.

Introducing computers into production engineering has drastically reduced the "artisan skill" content traditionally required in manufacturing processes and replaced it with high-precision, computer-controlled machinery. While this reduces human error and variability in output, it does not eliminate the knowledge required of the professional engineering or shop floor worker. On the contrary, the reverse is true. Managers, engineers, and workers still need to understand the fundamentals while they need to acquire other skills. These highly-regarded authors combine more than 150 years of industrial and academic experience and expertise to provide readers with the fundamentals of the subject, from digital manufacturing with CNC machine tools and FMS up to Industry 4.0, emphasizing the increased importance of automated manufacturing based on computerized systems (CAD, CAM, CAQ, etc.). Features This groundbreaking work introduces readers to CNC fundamentals, followed by a number of chapters which explain how different components are applied in practice. This logical approach is extended to the study of CNC and drives, tooling, flexible manufacturing systems (FMS), and finally to NC-programming, DNC, digital manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and computer integrated manufacturing (CIM). Additional chapters cover industrial robots, additive manufacturing, energy-efficient manufacturing, simulation systems, state of the art of machine integrated measuring systems, and using touch probes and laser beams. Explains the functions and connections of all integrated components.

With illustrations, this book offers a compendium of the most frequently used mechanical components, represented graphically. It provides the most commonly used design formulas as well as additional structural data, and is useful for an engineer.