Abstract: This edition contains the collection of scientific and industrial research presented in the 27th International Conference on Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing (FAIM2017).The International Conference in Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing (FAIM) is the leading international forum for dissemination of current research on all aspects of automation and manufacturing, and highlights how theoretical models and principles underpin practice in a production environment.The conference traditionally links researchers and practitioners both from industry and academia specializing in automation, manufacturing, and other related engineering disciplines from around the world.The 1 st FAIM conference took place in Ireland at the University in Limerick in 1991.Since 1991, FAIM has been hosted in many prestigious Universities on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, between the Unites States and Europe, and recently it moved also to Asia.This edition took place for the first time in Italy, in Modena.Modena is located into the Emilia region, which is famous for Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive and Food industries, with a lot of successful advanced automation cases in different fields: from packaging machines, to robotics, gearboxes, fluid power, ceramics tiles, pharmaceutics.In particular, Modena is the beating heart of the so-called "Motor Valley", which includes companies like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, CHN Industrial, Ducati, and Pagani.FAIM2017 focused on "Intelligent Manufacturing and Engineering Methods for Industry 4.0".It was hosted by the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia from 27 th to 30 th June, 2017.The conference linked researchers and practitioners from industry and academia specializing in industrial robotics, original advanced manufacturing and related engineering disciplines, from 55 different countries.387 papers were submitted.Papers were peer reviewed by a panel of 70 international experts in manufacturing and automation and the best quality papers accepted for presentation during the conference and publication in the proceedings.FAIM2017 was supported by EFFRA, the European Factories of the Future Research Association, which promotes the development of new and innovative production technologies among its industrial partners.During the conference, best papers were awarded related to four categories: Best paper, Best Student paper (presented and authored by one or more PhD students), Best