Development of new-concept desk top size machine tool

A desktop multiprocess machinery has been designed that has two concepts: miniaturizing of machine tool and multiprocessing with a same machine tool. The prototype of desktop multiprocess machinery is developed in this study. This is tabletop size machine tool that has five changeable machining heads. Outline of main body and machining head are presented. In order to know the basic accuracy of desktop multiprocess machinery, experimental evaluation is carried out. Machining head setting error, stiffness of multiprocess machinery and straightness of X, Y, Z stage is measured. To study the basic performance of desktop multiprocess machinery, a complex machining experiment is carried out with the developed machine tool. The complex machining consists of three steps: electrode machining by milling, hole shaping by EDM, and hole finishing by ECM. These steps are performed in sequence on the same machine tool. The complex machining is successfully carried out. In order to evaluate the desktop multiprocess machinery from environmental point of view, machining energy, volume of machining liquid, and installation space of desktop multiprocess machinery are measured. The measured values are compared with estimated values with conventional machine tools. The machining energy, the volume of machining liquid, and the installation space of desktop multiprocess machinery are smaller than those of conventional machine tool.