Page 46 - Modular design for machine tools

Basic Knowledge: What Is the Modular Design? 17

be manufactured from a group of the modules, where the module is in
the form of a unit. For example, a group of the units can facilitate the
manufacture of the drilling, milling, and turning machines [7].
Koenigsberger conceived this idea to apply the same design concept for
the TL to the conventional machine tool available for the cell produc-
tion [10]. In this proposal, the following design principles were fur-
thermore stated.

1. Modules must be interchangeable without the use of measuring
equipment.
2. Module must either be self-contained with its own power drive, feed-
back, and lubrication systems or form accessories for simply expand-
ing such systems.
3. Each unit must have its own servo pack with electronic interfacing
to digital input.
4. Modules must be usable in any orientation.
5. Modules must be interchangeable within about a half-hour.
6. Machining operations to be allowed in the first instance are turning,
drilling, boring, and milling.

To summarize, the concept shown in Fig. 1-7 is considered the kernel of
modular design; however, only a part of it will become reality, because
of the hindrance from the technological and economic aspects. In due
course, it is emphasized that the modular design appears to be very
simple. However, there are still problems to be solved, as will be seen
in the following chapters, even though the history of modular design is
very long.

1.2 Advantageous and Disadvantageous
Aspects of Modular Design
In discussing the advantageous and disadvantageous aspects of mod-
ular design, we must remember its successful application to both the
TL and the conventional machine tool in the 1960s. Although the auto-
motive manufacturer performs, generally speaking, mass production,
frequent model changes are common to reinforce the marketability of
the product, to respond quickly the users’ demands, to introduce inno-
vative technology, and so on. Importantly, the automotive industry
began to use small batch production in the late 1990s to respond neatly
to the individual customer’s requirements. As a result, the machining
facilities, i.e., machine tools and related production facilities, must
renew their functionalities and performances at the factory floor of the
car manufacturer. In retrospect, at burning issue in the 1950s was the