This paper resents a discrete-time model of an edge-following with accommodation force control. Since an irregular workpiece shape causes disturbances to the system while following an edge, the use of preview control is proposed to improve the system performance. The preview control employs future information of the workpiece contour shape, and it can be developed by LQ-optimal control principles. This study provides a general method how to utilize the local future information obtained by the finite preview to minimize an optimality criterion evaluated over a problem duration. The force controller is designed based on the preview control scheme, and then implemented on a VME-based computer. Experimental results using an industrial robot show that the preview control system achieves faster tracking speed and better force regulation than the conventional nonpreview control system.