Smart Manufacturing—Theories, Methods, and Applications

[para. 1:] " Smart manufacturing (SM) distinguishes itself from other system paradigms by introducing ‘smartness’ as a measure to a manufacturing system; however, researchers in different domains have different expectations of system smartness from their own perspectives. In this Special Issue (SI), SM refers to a system paradigm where digital technologies are deployed to enhance system smartness by (1) empowering physical resources in production, (2) utilizing virtual and dynamic assets over the internet to expand system capabilities, (3) supporting data-driven decision making at all domains and levels of businesses, or (4) reconfiguring systems to adapt changes and uncertainties in dynamic environments. System smartness is measured by one or a combination of system performance metrics, such as the degree of automation, cost-effectiveness, leanness, robustness, flexibility, adaptability, sustainability, and resilience. This SI aims to present the most representative works in advancing the theories, methods, and applications of SM."