Key factors for success in modern manufacturing include quality, productivity, efficiency, flexibility, customer satisfaction and control over cost and logistics. Depending on the characteristics of the product and its market, an appropriate manufacturing system and key enabling technologies (such as automation) need to be selected. The first part of this course deals with common manufacturing processes and technologies, the control of these processes as well as materials handling and robotics. It includes the function and programming of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) as well as an introduction to the architecture, capabilities and programming of common micro-controllers such as the PIC series (specifically the PICAXE40X). The second part of this course deals with higher level enabling technologies, cellular manufacturing, flexible manufacturing, CAD/CAM, CAPP, CIM as well as strategic issues such as cost justification and competitive advantage. This course includes a substantial amount of laboratory work.