Preface

The quest for increased productivity, effective control, high product quality, reduced manufacturing cycle time, and cost efficiency has driven significant research interest in the field of automation and control. Automation lies at the heart of modern industrial society and is pervasive across engineering sectors, including manufacturing and process industries. It forms the foundation of contemporary manufacturing systems, which are characterized by speed, precision, high-volume productivity, and operational independence. With the continuously evolving industrial and manufacturing landscape, the need for robust automation and control systems has become imperative to address the demands and challenges of modern manufacturing. The development of automated and control systems, propelled by digital transformation and technological advancement, promotes efficiency, innovation, and sustainability across diverse fields such as healthcare, energy, manufacturing, robotics, and process industries.

This book is particularly timely as it explores current trends in the digital transformation of industrial and manufacturing processes and the enabling technologies that support them. The first volume, Principles of Automation and Control I, laid the groundwork by covering essential topics such as the principles and classes of automation, control theories, instrumentation, and robotics, thereby introducing the fundamental concepts of control system design.

This second volume, Principles of Automation and Control II, is divided into two parts consisting of twenty-five comprehensive chapters that cover conceptual, theoretical, empirical, and practical examples of automation and control systems. The book is divided into two parts. This Part 1 comprises of thirteen chapters (Chapters 1-13) covering fundamentals of digital systems for automation, automation, additive manufacturing, control system and its practical applications, optimization strategies, artificial intelligence application and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

It serves as both instructional and reference material, providing a foundational text for students, researchers, and professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of automation and control theory and its applications.

The book begins with the concepts and theories of digital automation and industrial control, including system modeling and control system design. It then progresses to advanced digital control systems for industrial automation, highlighting modern control and automation devices such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), sensors, and actuators. Additionally, it explores practical applications of emerging technologies such as the IoT and AI as enablers of automation and control. What sets this book apart is its emphasis on both theoretical and practical aspects, with numerous examples, case studies across various fields, and practical exercises designed to bridge the gap between theory and implementation.

This book aims to equip readers with the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to design, implement, monitor, and analyze automation and control systems in real-world settings. When carefully studied, it provides insights into innovations that are poised to shape the future of industrial control systems and automation.