ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to describe several of the more important roles that technology is now playing in the e-factory. The broadest sense of the term technology is used herein. Technology is defined to mean the application of machinery or scientific principles to performing work. In much of the mass media today, technology is used as a synonym for computer hardware and software. However, in the e-factory, technology must include the innovations in mechanical, electrical, fluidic, optical, electromagnetic, and electronic devices.
