Production state-of-the-technology report: the machining center

Machining centers are undergoing technological changes, and now are available in all sizes and specifications Purchasers can choose between either US or Japanese styles with a horizontal or vertical fixed-type spindle or a European-style arcing and dual type. Machines have either 16- or 32-bit controls but it is more important for the machine to have an open architecture in order to link up with the UNIX operating system. The manufacturers are constructing better machines by: reducing the number of gears; replacing spline shafts with ball screws; and moving from hydraulics to electronics. Electronics has made the machines more reliable and have given them the capacity to indicate problems. Vertical-spindle machining centers range in price from $70,000 to $5 million.
Production State-of-the-Technology Report: The questions are simple: When going out to buy a new machining center, what should be expected? What is the nature of the machine today, in 1990? [...]