Virtual Axis Machine Tool Based On Virtual Prototype Design Research

Virtual Axes Machine Tools (VAMT), which is called "the 21st century Machine Tools", has the distinct advantages over the conventional Machines Tools. Because Virtual Prototyping (VP) avoids building the physical prototype, its application to VAMT can improve the competition of VAMT.Firstly, this paper researches the modular design of VAMT, including the division and combination of module. An algorithm of module's choice is also put forward. Secondly, on the base of mechanism analysis of VAMT, establish the design method based on VP; expatiate on the kinematical design using optimization method. Finally, the software architecture is established, and a prototype of VAMT is constructed using VP This paper introduces VP technology to the design of VAMT, so provides a technology platform for widely use of VAMT.