Mechnical Design Systems Laboratory, Hiroshima University

For improving the efficiency of conventional machine tool configurations to the next level, a new multi-spindle configuration is presented. Unlike conventional multi-spindle machine tools, where each spindle in principle machines a separate workpiece, the proposed multi-spindle configuration is able to use all spindles simultaneously to machine a single workpiece. Therefore, the overall efficiency of machining a single workpiece can be drastically increased. In the proposed configuration there are three parallel linear axes, each of which has a vertical axis and a spindle, and a rotary table. Therefore, the machine task can be done without risk of spindle collision. In this paper, a command trajectory algorithm is presented to perform the proposed machining by simultaneously regulating the motion of three spindles. A prototype machine of the proposed three-spindle configuration is designed and assembled.

Keywords: Machine tools, Multi-spindle, Efficiency