Recent Advances in Automation and Intelligence of Precision Manufacturing

Dear Colleagues,

Precision manufacturing serves as the backbone of high-end equipment innovation, powering critical sectors including aerospace, microelectronics, medical devices, and advanced robotics. As Industry 4.0 evolves into a data-driven ecosystem, the integration of automation and intelligence has become imperative to address the escalating demands for ultra-high precision, process flexibility, and cost-efficiency. However, the field faces formidable challenges, such as real-time adaptive control under dynamic production disturbances, seamless fusion of multi-modal data (e.g., in situ sensor feedback, digital twin simulations, and historical process data), translation of AI innovations into shop-floor practicality, and ensuring reliability in micro/nano-scale manufacturing scenarios. These barriers highlight the need for interdisciplinary research that bridges advanced sensing, intelligent algorithms, and automated systems.

The synergy of automation technologies (e.g., collaborative robotics, adaptive motion control, and smart process monitoring) and intelligent methodologies (e.g., manufacturing-specific large language models, digital twins with real-time synchronization, and edge AI for decentralized decision-making) is revolutionizing precision manufacturing. This transformation enables paradigm shifts such as self-optimizing production lines, predictive maintenance for high-value precision tools, closed-loop quality assurance with sub-micron accuracy, and autonomous process adjustment for customized production—directly addressing industry pain points of low throughput, high defect rates, and limited scalability. Moreover, intelligent automation empowers precision manufacturing to adapt to the growing trend of personalized production and the integration of sustainable practices.

This Special Issue seeks to compile cutting-edge research, industrial case studies, and innovative methodologies that advance the automation and intelligence of precision manufacturing. We welcome original contributions focusing on (but not limited to) the following themes:

• Intelligent sensing and multi-modal data fusion for real-time process monitoring in precision manufacturing;
• Adaptive control and automated systems for ultra-high-precision machining, assembly, and microfabrication;
• Digital twins with high-fidelity modeling and real-time synchronization for precision production optimization;
• Vertical AI models, intelligent agents, and machine learning for manufacturing process self-optimization;
• Predictive maintenance and AI-driven quality inspection for precision tools and components;
• Human–robot collaboration (HRC) and safe automation in high-precision manufacturing environments;
• Edge computing and low-latency decision-making for smart precision factories;
• Automation and intelligence in additive manufacturing (3D printing) for precision part production;
• Sustainable and energy-efficient intelligent automation in precision manufacturing;
• Cross-scale precision control (macro- to micro/nano-scale) enabled by AI and automation.

We invite researchers, engineers, and practitioners from academia and industry to submit their novel work, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerating the translation of automation and intelligence technologies into tangible advancements in precision manufacturing.

Dr. Jingtao Zhou
Guest Editor

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