Modular machine strategy

Many trends affect the metalworking industry, including customer demands for the best quality, lowest cost and shortest delivery time. Design concepts for modular machine tools can address these expectations through general-function modules that can be combined to meet job requirements while reducing costs and lead times.

Modular machines benefit large production facilities with their ability to easily interlink and form work cells, while smaller facilities profit from their flexibility, with all users enjoying lower investment costs compared to custom, turnkey solutions. Available for chucked components and shaft workpieces, modular machines can increase production with their shared, basic designs.

The work area of an EMAG modular machine tool. Image courtesy EMAG.

The goal behind EMAG’s modular concept was to develop a platform that enables engineers to form manufacturing cells easily while enhancing precision and productivity. Most importantly, modular machines offer more flexibility with the integration of a range of manufacturing technologies for an extensive product lineup, allowing quick and efficient changeover to meet evolving production requirements. This flexibility enables manufacturers to change the way they use modular machines over time.

The most obvious advantage is capitalizing on a shared operating and parts strategy. Regardless of the technology, these machines use identical components, from human/machine interfaces to drive controllers and motors, for their basic design. Not only does this allow end users to simplify operation, but also procurement because they reduce their spare-part inventories. This component-commonality strategy can increase profitability by reducing spare-part investment and warehousing costs.

Operators and mechanics benefit from the streamlined design as well. A modular machine speeds changeovers and maintenance to increase throughput. Because the base modules remain consistent, a modular design shortens the learning curve for new employees, as well as experienced workers when new machines are put into production.