Efforts in improving the efficiency of automated equipment lead to combining automatic joining equipment with a modem computer technique eventually known as artificial intelligence (intelligent automation) that usually includes an off-line planning system and a real-time adaptive control system connected through a computer communications interface. This article focuses on the application of intelligent automation system to arc welding, called WELDEXCELL, and other joining processes. An outline of the interface between off-line planners and real-time control systems is also provided.