Innovative Machine Kinematics for Combined Handling and Machining of Three-Dimensional Curved Lightweight Extrusion Structures

The importance of rigid and self supporting space frame structures for the automotive and aerospace industry continually increases. To meet the market requirements for a flexible and competitive small batch production, innovative machine concepts must be investigated. By integrating handling and machining capabilities into one machine structure, redundant degrees of freedom can be reduced and a former idle economic potential can be made use of.This paper introduces a systematic approach to reveal synergetic potentials that emerge by integrating two different fields of function, the handling and the machining. Therewith a matrix with technical solutions for a combination of handling and machining is generated. These solutions are the base for new machine concepts that fulfill both tasks with a minimal number of machine axes. A detailed model of an innovative machine concept is presented that allows a flexible and cost-efficient production of three-dimensional curved extrusions.