The text is organized into four sections. Section One is introductory: Chapter 1 provides some background on manu-facturing and defines programmable automation. Chapter 2 explains calculation methods used to justify automation expenditures, as motivated by productivity concepts. Section Two covers computer numerical control: Chapter Chapter 3 introduces CNC technology, Chapter 4 discusses CNC programming, and Chapter 5 addresses CNC simulation. Robotics is covered in Section Three: Chapter 6 introduces robotics technology and Chapter 7 goes over both robotics programming and simulation. Section Four addresses PLCs: Chapter 8 introduces PLCs and Chapter 9 covers programming and simulation of PLCs. Finally, Chapter 10 concludes the text with a discussion of how all three technologies are brought together to create programmable automated workstations and work cells. --Book Jacket.