Parallel Structures and Their Applications in Reconfigurable Machining Systems

Abstract

Reconfigurable Machine Tools (RMTs), assembled from machine modules such as spindles, slides and worktables are designed to be easily reconfigured to accommodate new machining requirements. Their goal is to provide exactly the capacity and functionality, exactly when needed. In this paper, we present a novel parallely-actuated work-support module as a part of an RMT to meet the machining requirements of specific features on a family of automotive cylinder heads. A prototype of the proposed module is designed/built and experimental results regarding its performance are presented.