Plastic energy chains in a machine tool for a student project

A modern machine tool was realised as part of the Young Engineer Support from igus®

Another great project has been launched at the Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management (iwb) at the Technical University of Munich with 5 students from the Machine Tools group. Jan Rasch, Cedric Rohr, Thomas Odenthal, Markus Hölle and Christian Junghans were able to realise their project, the development and construction of a machine tool, thanks to the sponsorship of several companies, including YES, the igus® Young Engineers Support. They have currently produced a 1:1 scale model made of wood. Their next step will be to transfer all the components from the model to a steel structure. The model can be moved and controlled using a touchscreen, and the software you have created yourself is constantly being developed and optimised.

Project description

The aims of the student project "Machine tool highly innovative" (wzmi) are the development, design and construction of a machine tool. This will be exhibited as a demonstrator at trade fairs and events. The machine will be used to showcase research projects of the Machine Tool Group and its partners to the public.

The concept of the machine tool includes special features that reflect current research topics in the field of production technology. For example, the milling spindle will also be used to realise friction welding with automated tool changing. All machining operations will be dry. In addition, the aim is to realise the control system with an open bus system due to the use of linear drives from different manufacturers. Versatility is another key requirement.

The five-member team, consisting of mechanical and electrical engineering students, has set itself the goal of systematically designing the realisation of this innovative machine concept. Parts of the development process included the methods of FEM and multi-body simulations, as well as verification through tests. The project is now entering its second round. While the design part has received the finishing touches, the machine is now to be brought to life by implementing the control and regulation technology. A laboratory set-up with the drive and control elements as well as the assembly unit will be exhibited at the "Munich Colloquium".