Page 48 - Modular design for machine tools

Basic Knowledge: What Is the Modular Design? 19

For user
(a) Shortening of delivery time and cost reduction.
(b) Reduction of inventory cost for spare modules by commissioning
the preparatory storage of the module to the manufacturer, result-
ing in the savings of running cost.
Brankamp and Herrmann further exemplified the economic ben-
efit, showing that the manufacturing cost and assembly time in
the manufacturer saved about 50 and 40 percent, respectively, in
the case of the drilling machine of multiple-head and automatic
lathe of Fronter type.
3. In consideration of the successful application since the beginning
of 1960s, the Maho Werkzeugmaschinen applied the modular
design to the universal tool milling and boring machine in the
mid-1970s. In this case, the three groups of basic modules (die
Bausteine) were determined in closer relation to the basic component
of machine, table configuration, and functional attachments, e.g.,
scale, quill, angle head, vertical head of quick traveling type, and
slotting head [11]. In addition, the machine employed the same
gear train for the main driving system and feed mechanism in
accordance with the suggestion of Koenigsberger [6]. In this appli-
cation, a noteworthy variant was a vertical milling machine of knee
type, which was, e.g., capable of face milling and groove milling of
the outer surface of the cylindrical work using the index head and
tailstock located parallel to the spindle axis. Consequently, the
emphasis lay in both the user’s and the manufacturer’s benefits as
follows.

User’s benefit
(a) Attachments were available for all the types.
(b) The function of the machine was expandable when user wanted.
(c) Ease of exchange and repair of the module.
(d) The considerable stock volume of modules enabled the ease of
supply of the module with higher accuracy.

Manufacturer’s benefit
(a) Notwithstanding the order volume, the standardized module was
produced with economically reasonable cost.
(b) Ease of production planning and control together with cost-effec-
tive production.
(c) Improvement of assembly capability, because of manufacturing
various types from a group of modules.
(d) Reconfiguration was simplified with less additional cost.