Page 12 - Modular design for machine tools

x Preface

the threefold cores, i.e., (1) concept and engineering guide of modular
design, (2) design methodology for modular design, and (3) engineering
design for machine tool joints.
Consequently, this book consists of the two parts, i.e., Part 1,
Engineering Guides of Modular Design and Description Methodology of
Machine Tools, and Part 2, Engineering Design for Machine Tool Joints—
Interfacial Structural Configuration in Modular Design. In addition,
another kernel technology in the modular design is how to measure the
interface pressure between both modules by the nondestructive method,
and thus the ultrasonic waves method is furthermore stated in App. 1.
Obviously, the book is available for the individual use of each part and
for the synthetic use, depending on the reader’s requirements.
In retrospect, the history of modular design can be classified into
three phases in full consideration of the epoch-making proposals of con-
cept and idea, innovation, contrivance, and marked applications.
In the first phase up to the 1970s, the modular design was, in wider
scope, applied to the structural body component of the conventional
machine tool to rationalize the design and manufacture. Geminately, the
modular concept was applied to the system design of the TL (transfer
line) to reduce primarily the renewal cost of the line. The fundamental
engineering technique and methodology of the modular design were
duly established in this phase through the vigorous activities during
the1960s.
With the advent and growing importance of the NC machine tool in
the late 1950s and 1960s, the modular design was launched out to devel-
opment of the second phase. In this phase, the modular design was
characterized by its capability for reinforcing further flexibility of the
machining method from the aspect of the structural configuration. As
widely recognized, the NC technology is an eminent innovation, which
can be considered equal to that of Wilkinson’s cylinder boring machine
in the industrial revolution era. Consequently, some new machine tools
and production systems, i.e., MC (machining center), TC (turning center),
and flexible manufacturing, were contrived positively by using the
NC and computer technologies, and the modular design has been applied
to these machines and production systems, depending on their necessi-
ties. Nowadays, the MC, TC, GC (grinding center), flexible manufac-
turing, and their variants are dominant in the machine tool sector.
Following the second phase up to the mid-1980s, the modular design
has been in the third phase, although it is difficult to observe obvious
differences from those in the second phase. Two representative appli-
cations are for the FMC (flexible manufacturing cell) and the system
machine, i.e., machine tool compatible with flexible manufacturing.
With the advance of system machine, at issue is the machining or pro-
cessing complex.