Potentials of combining different manufacturing techniques in one machine for ultra precision machining

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of work piece errors arising from the transfer between machines during the machining process. From this analysis the need for a machine that combines the characteristics of an UP-turning center and an UP-milling machine are derived. Finally a machine setup developed during a project of the Fraunhofer IPT is presented. The potentials of building this highly integrated machine combining the whole set of tasks needed during the process chain of UP-machining of complex parts is shown. Additionally, manual working steps are analyzed and the high degree of manual work is identified as a limiting factor for enhancing accuracy. The need for intelligent automation is presented and a clear distinction is drawn to automation that does not positively affect machining results