Book excerpt: Research efforts in the past decade have led to considerable advances in the concepts and methods of smart manufacturing. Smart Manufacturing: Applications and Case Studies includes information about the key applications of these new methods, as well as practitioners' accounts of real-life applications and case studies. Written by thought leaders in the field from around the world, Smart Manufacturing: Applications and Case Studies is essential reading for graduate students, researchers, process engineers and managers. It is complemented by a companion book titled Smart Manufacturing: Concepts and Methods, which describes smart manufacturing methods in detail. - Includes examples of applications of smart manufacturing in process industries - Provides a thorough overview of the subject and practical examples of applications through well researched case studies - Offers insights and accounts of first-hand experiences to motivate further implementations of the key concepts of smart manufacturing