Systematization of Machine Tool Engineering (Research Efforts and Future Problems on Mother Machine)

Abstract

Machine tools are called mother machine in the meaning of the machine for producing various machines. Demands for nanometer scale machining accuracy of large and hard-to-cut materials have increased in a wide range of industries. Actual research and development activities on innovative mother machines have been recently performed in industries and academia over the world. In order to meet such extreme industrial requirements, however, it is necessary and indispensable to establish and systematize the machine tool engineering. This paper presents (1) definition of machine tool engineering and general design flow of machine tools, (2) characteristic features and systematization of machine tool engineering, (3) engineering problems to be solved and their classifications, and (4) future evolution trends of machine tool engineering and mother machine.