Benchmark design process for machine tool structures

Abstract

Traditionally the technical aspect of the machine tool design process has been handled by the more experienced veteran engineer. Although this is still largely true today, the power of the computer is changing many aspects of this design process. The veteran engineer's experience and knowledge of past and current products still puts him in a good position to coordinate the new design process. However, the computer has provided us with many added tools to incorporate into this process. These tools will supplement our experience, allow us to quantify it, and allow us to use knowledge of past products to predict performance of the new ones. Particularly in the areas of stress, statics, and machine tool dynamics such computerized methods as finite elements, system modeling, and modal analysis are proving themselves to be invaluable tools. With them the modern design team can achieve an understanding level of their new product never possible in the past. The best features of various designs can be selected, combined in the form of a prototype, and tested with the confidence that all the initial goals will be met.