New Concepts for Structural Components

This chapter is focused on analysing new concepts and trends related to the structure of machine tools. In fact, the structure of the machine has a decisive influence on the three main parameters that define the capabilities of a machine, which are: motion accuracy, the productivity of the machine and the quality of machining. In this respect, this study on structural components will add a new basic parameter, eco-efficiency, because the structure of the machine also has a decisive influence on the whole life cycle of the machine and especially on the materials and energy resources consumed: an issue of increasing concern among machine tool builders.