Machines for the aeronautical industry

Abstract

This chapter highlights the role that machine tools play in the aerospace industry and is organised as follows. Firstly, a general description is made about how the aerospace industry is performing today and what the future looks like with respect to aerospace parts manufacturing. Secondly, the types of aerospace components in terms of geometry and function are described. Thirdly, the materials employed for the manufacturing of aerospace components are discussed. In the fourth section, the drives for machine tools currently operating in the manufacturing of aerospace parts are presented and finally, some trends in the machine tool construction are highlighted. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.