Page 143 - Modular design for machine tools

Engineering Guides and Future Perspectives of Modular Design 103

This idea has later merchandised by Index Co. in 1999, and the
machine named “Vertical Line” was exhibited on the occasion of EMO
Shows in Paris (see Fig. 1-5). As can be readily seen, the successors of
the engine lathe of Ramo make and complex machining center are the
machining complex and processing complex, respectively. For the ease
of understanding, some representative machines will be quickly shown
in the following.
The Boley displayed the machining complex in 9th EMO Show (1991),
which can be characterized by its twin-spindle opposite and offset located
type, as well as by a couple of spindle heads and turret heads of travel-
ing type. Figure 2-26 is another machining complex of Nihon Kokan
make, which has simultaneously both the functionalities of TC and MC,
and which is of modular type, so that the user’s requirements can be ful-
filled to various extents. Actually, the designer is capable of choosing the
various combinations among the turning, milling, and boring functions,
number of tools in turret, number of pallets, and number of tools in ATC.
It appears that the machine has overspecifications; however, the machine
is, in the extreme case, allowed to change from the TC to MC, i.e., that
with different kind-oriented modular design. In accordance with this
evidence, it is envisaged that the different kind-oriented type is a “must”
when applying the modular design to the machining complex. The mod-
ular design is furthermore applied to the machining complex including
the CNC turning machine by Ikegai Iron Works, as shown in Fig. 2-27
in the late 1990s, and Table 2-4 is a firsthand view of machining com-
plexes that have been on the market so far with better reputation.

ATC
Work magazine Spindle head
(10 pallets) Tool magazine
(Capacity:32
Turret columm
tools/magazine)
Y
Work

C

X
Z

Setup station
Figure 2-26 Concept of TC—MC Complex (type MMC-30, courtesy of Nihon Kokan).