Mass reduction of the machine tool movable parts is a tool for achieving lower energy demands of the machine tool operation. Lower weight can bring elevation of the machine tool dynamic properties with the application of new materials, which assure the equivalent static and dynamic compliancy compared to the usage of common materials. However, if the machine frame compliancy is increased, it is possible to compensate the missing stiffness by means of advanced control methods. The paper introduces the results of the RCMT involvement in the EU project EcoFIT, which is aimed at the development of machine tools with significantly reduced mass of movable structures.
Science Journal 