Design of a Novel Parallel Reconfigurable Machine Tool

The manufacturing of moulds and dies is achieved through expensive and complicated manufacturing processes. There is a need in the mould and die tool industry for technologically advanced systems/machinery that will be able to facilitate re-conditioning of moulds and dies at moderate costs and within short period of time. The re-conditioning process requires highly dextrous equipment, with high stiffness. Each worn out mould or die has different defects, which requires different mechanical processing and positioning of the reconditioning tools. Conventional machine tools and serial manipulators have been found incapable of meeting the demands for high mechanical dexterity adaptation as well as high stiffness necessary for mould and die re-conditioning. This paper presents, the design of parallel reconfigurable machine tool (PRMT) based on both application and philosophy of re-configurability. The structure is influenced by 1) specifications for the repair and reconditioning of moulds and dies, and 2) the manufacturing processes involved.