Efficient utilization of production resources in the use phase of multi-technology machine tools

This paper demonstrates an approach to increase operation efficiency of multi-technology machine tools (MTMTs). After discussing the advantages and disadvantages of MTMT designs in general the necessity of simultaneous processing, in order to be competitive in terms of machine hour rates, is derived. Based on the MTMT being built in the Cluster of Excellence at RWTH University the consequences of multiple workspaces for the efficient use of production resources and their influences on overall production times are discussed. Mechanical and thermal effects between the workspaces as well as the complexity of programming multiple processes are discussed with respect to different products and their process chains.