Interactive Design-Assistance System of Machine Tool Structure in Conceptual and Fundamental Design Stage

Abstract

This paper presents the development of an interactive design-assistance system for quickly determining a machine tool structure in conceptual and fundamental design stage. The distinguishing point in this system is that all components of one machine tool structure are approximated into conceptual beams. There-fore, by using the interactive design-assistance system, designers can decide a beam structure in a short time because classical beam theory makes it easy to analyze the static, dynamic and thermal stiffness. Converting the beam structure to an actual structure, designers can complete the conceptual and fundamental design of a machine tool structure. Consequently, the interactive design-assistance system enables designers to complete structural design of a machine tool in a shorter time with higher efficiency.