Page 146 - Modular design for machine tools

106 Modular Design Guide and Machine Tools Description

Headstock of
Cross rail traveling type

Carriage
Turret head Work (possible to
do “hands-off”)
Turret head

Headstock of
stationary type
[ First process ] [ Second process ]

Note: For machining of flangelike parts, e.g., gear blank and brake disk.
Figure 2-28 NC vertical machine of Hüller Hille make.

which is furthermore capable of grinding and laser processing. Although
the machine itself is not of modular type, it is designed as a basic module
for the production cell, expecting to realize the compact manufacturing
line. It is very interesting that the machine originated with the “turning-
boring-centre (Dreh-Bohr- Zentrum)”, i.e., type DV 62 of Hessap make,
which was on the market as a machining complex in 1984.
As can be seen from these complexes, at burning issue is whether the
modular design is mandatory. Importantly, the complex has duly greater
flexibility from the viewpoints of both the structural configuration and
the NC software; and thus in its design, it appears that the modular
principle renders it useless. In contrast, some manufacturers have been
very keen to design the complex using the modular design, although
modular design has become apparently very complicated with the advent
of both the system machine and the complex. It is thus emphasized that
we need to scrutinize in the very near future the substantial necessity
of the modular principle in designing the machining and processing
complexes.
In discussion of which kinds are suitable for modular design, at least,
we can assert that the processing complex is a protruded objective. For
example, de Vicq of AMTRI (Advanced Manufacturing Technology
Research Institute) in United Kingdom has viewed a test bed with 13
controlled axes together with twin-headstock TC with three- or five-axis