Development of a dynamic high precision miniature milling machine

One of the main focuses in many research fields is the miniaturisation of work pieces and components. Micro fluidic, micro mechanic, micro electronic and micro optical functional groups are integrated into smallest space to microsystems for medical, information technology or automotive purposes. Directly opposed to the miniaturisation trend of these products are the machine tools used for the production becoming bigger and bigger, with the result that the proportion between the machining space and the needed floor space is more and more inefficient. To meet the process requirements as well as the requirements of the machine users of flexible and small high performance machine tools the Fraunhofer IPT developed and designed a compact high precision milling machine. The paper describes current trends in the field of compact machine tools under special consideration of the mechanical setup and the development of a small and high precise as well as high dynamic micro milling machine.