This is a unique edition in a new format: a combination of text and video material in a book and accompanying CDs. The idea to produce a work to represent the bottom line of scientific and industrial development at the - ginning of the 21st century came from leading scientists. This book undertakes analysis, description, and development prognoses of machine-building technologies and production automation (including examples of basic research of the development and optimization of re- world production processes, as well as methods and results of experimental research and presentation of some of the most modern and innovative manufacturing processes) which should form a basis for the automated production technologies of the future - in the 21st century. This book offers an interdisciplinary presentation of unique material and combines for the first time theoretical and practical results of the last decades from the most important branches of machine building in ind- trial-developedcountries (automotive industry, agricultural machine bui- ing, electrical engineering and electronics, machine-tools industry, aircraft industry, instrumental industry, control systems, and consumer goods - dustry) in a scientific-technical edition. This should make this book int- esting to a wide range of readers. It is aimed at those who because of their knowledge and talent will become the elite engineers of their respective countries: doctoral and undergraduate students, to young prospective and qualified engineers, to advanced beginners and well-known scientists and researchers.