With the 2011 launch of Industrie 4.0, a German project aiming to promote the computerization of manufacturing, the integration of physical or actual manufacturing systems with cyber-physical systems (CPS) using various technologies, such as the Internet of things (IoT), industrial Internet of things (IIOT), and artificial intelligence, is considered to be more important than ever before. One of the goals of the Industrie 4.0 is to realize smart factories or smart manufacturing using advanced digital technologies. However, the core component in the manufacturing systems is still machine tools.

This special issue, composed of eleven excellent research papers, focuses on the latest research advances in machine tools and manufacturing processes. It covers various topics, including machine tool control, tool path generation for multi-axis machining, and machine tool components. Furthermore, this special issue includes innovative machining technologies, including not only cutting and grinding processes but also the EDM process and burnishing process connected effectively with force control techniques. All the research contributions were presented at IMEC2018, a joint event with JIMTOF2018, held in Tokyo, Japan in 2018.

The editors would like to sincerely thank the authors for their dedication and for their well written and illustrated manuscripts. We are also profoundly grateful for the efforts of all the reviewers who ensured their quality. Finally, we sincerely hope that studies on machine tools and related manufacturing technologies will further contribute to the development of our global society.