Modularity in small machine tools

Up to now, machine tools in micro production hardly feature modularity and hence offer only few opportunities to reconfigure or individualize a manufacturing process. This article gives a summary of concepts, how modularity in small micro machine tools can be designed and implemented. A size-adaptable machine frame is the basis for various possible process layouts. Adapters, a feed module with replaceable drive and kinematics, equipped with appropriate interfaces as well as a supply concept are introduced to allow further configuration. The combination of those concepts characterizes a small modular machine tool system. Technical solutions and fully functional prototypes will be shown and discussed in the following paper.