This book addresses the use of robots for flexible automation from a manufacturing systems viewpoint. It gives the reader an overview of what industrial robots were and how they were integrated into an automated manufacturing system. Each major part/subsystem of the robot then is explored (e.g. grippers, controllers, geometry) in full chapter detail. Emphasis in this edition, is placed on the hardware and software that support the implementation of automated work-cells and manufacturing systems. robot classification, automated work-cells and CIM systems, end-of-arm tooling, automation sensors, work-cell support systems and programming, robot and system integration, justification and applications of work-cells, safety, human interface and west electric case study. robotics technicians engineers or the industrial reader who wants an introduction to flexible automation systems using robotics.