The direction is for high-speed, high precision, high efficiency, green and compound ways. The composition of machine tool should achieve more than a single machine process.  It should be composed of many types of processing, handling and adjustment to reduce the time, generate high efficiency and achieve good quality in the workpiece handling and the automated transfer process.

The Five-axis milling center is a turning center equipped with rotary milling cutter function or configured with a turning function processing center which recently appeared in the different principles of intensive processing methods such as laser processing and complex machining, to further increase the degree of complex machine tools.

1. Development status

Five-axis milling center technology has been mastered by MAZAK, OKUMA, MORI SEIKI, DMG, WFL and other large enterprises.  The basic market monopoly are in the hands of foreign companies and the domestic enterprises has just set foot in this area.  Five-axis milling center ideas originated in Europe and Austria ''s WFL mill car technology is the pioneer in this line.  Japanese compound machine began in the late 70s and the early 80s of the last century.  Currently the highest accuracy of machine tools are in Germany and Switzerland . Taken together, the highest level is in Germany while Japan has the largest output and global market share.  Our country’s five-axis milling center has just started, the first production is by the Shenyang Machine Tool (SMTCL) in partnership with the German MAX MULLER  as shown in CIMT2001 China International Machine Tool Exhibition. Although our composite machine developed a little late, but the domestic users of complex parts processing such as in scientific research and manufacturing of new products also have used a lot of imported cars milling machine.

2 The structure analysis

( 1 )  The overall structure of horizontal axis

The mainstream of the current international structure of five-axis machine tool are Servo Y-axis, Direct Y-axis and the Vertical Y-axis.  (Figure 1).

Servo Y-axis: An inclined bed structure, Y-axis function is achieved through the interpolation of the X-axis tilt motion with the knife movement synthesis, as represented by  the INTEGREXIV MAZAK model series, DMG''s GMX linear series, DOOSSAN PUMAMX, SMTCL and the HTM6315Oiy series.

Direct Y-axis: An inclined bed structure, Y-axis function is achieved by the knife up and down along the vertical X axis movement, as represented by the WFL M-series models, SMTCL, the HTM4O and the HTM80 series.

Vertical Y-axis: A flat-bed structure with tool holder along the vertical side.  Y-axis function is achieved by l6J movement as shown in the  NT DCG models MORI SEllI series, MAZAK of INTEGREXE-H series, SMTCL of HTM6315O series..

( 2) the structure of comparison

The earliest direct Y-axis was developed by the Austrian WFL, a design based on lathes to milling as the main body, the structure of Y-axis travel is limited by the overall rigid B-axis turret in the machine tool structure (Figure 2).

Servo Y-axis: The majority of companies currently use this structure, similar in idea to direct Y-axis, from turning to vehicle processing.  2-axis interpolation is used to achieve Y axis, compact and low price, but the structure of Y-axis travel is restricted and therefore less. (Figure 3).

The vertical Y-axis: In recent years, the structure based on machining centers and lathes developed the flat-bed structure in the overall framework, Y-axis travel which  are subject to restrictions on the whole structure is relatively small, MORISEll turning diameter 66Omm, machine Y axis travel 420mm. Y-axis stroke ratio and other specifications of the machine structure are similar to large milling with a wide range of cost-effectiveness.

For these reasons, MAZAK company have sub-horizontal machine tool structure with servo Y-axis and vertical Y axis INTEGRXW structure INTEGRXe a wide range of H 2. INTEGRXW series of turning diameters generally less than 76Omm, IN guilty GRxe a series of turning H diameter of 610 to 92Omm.

 (3) The technology gap

In recent years, China developed five-axis CNC milling machining center, the basic parameters being machine tool structure and closeness to international levels of standards.

Through years of efforts, the domestic backbone enterprises have mastered five-axis machine tool control technology and the basic structural principle, but the key difference in the manufacture of machine tools are the level of precision, stability level of machine tools, level of machine tools MTBF and level of applications of basic research (Table 1).

Accuracy and heat compensation in the international business machine has been widely used  while in the domestic enterprises they are still experimental.  Domestic enterprises overall accuracy levels are lower than the international advanced level.  Individual estimates have shown that the domestic machine’s level of product design, quality, accuracy, performance, etc. is 5-10 years behind the level of the international business machines.

3 The product of strategy

(1) A master plan to achieve a universal, modular, horizontal axis domestic backbone enterprises of more than three kinds of independent Y-axis machine tool structure are the enterprise product line. Although the specifications of the products are from φ400mm-φ25Omm layout, but integration of existing product lines is needed for a progressive development of the overall technology development strategy.  The current five-axis machine tools abroad is generally delivered in 5-6 months, a major type machine is delivered in 12-14 months.  Domestic machine tool has a relatively long lead time and it is the users strong opinions to accelerate a universal modular step to solve and care for an important means of delivery. Modularization should focus on the choice of preferred and selected product-based model derived from up down specifications, the formation of several basic series, to maximize the advantages of universal parts, generality, modularity which can all best meet the needs of individual users.

( 2 ) Change the idea to enhance the quality

Machine design is mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, gas Multidisciplinary high degree of unity, is the perfect embodiment of engineering and aesthetics. At the present, machine design, manufacture by traditional high-impact, largely the use of reference, the thinking than large machine tool design. axis CNC lathe machine brought a lot of design means, concepts, and application updates inspiration, Design and application of these ideas will in the field of domestic machine tool design, and production of an important impact. on the design, manufacturing staff requirements more to the higher, and improve the concept of time waits for no change.

( 3 ) increase the basic theory of investigation  

Machine as a comprehensive subject, the basic theory of research only depend on theirselves, basic theoretical research involving machine tool structure, vibration control, temperature control, noise control, tool applications, CNC system, dynamic control and many other fields, these areas is still blank.

    ( 4 ) Accelerate the pace of continuous improvement product updates

The international machine tool precision to double every 8 years, processing methods, manufacturing standards constantly updated, The users’ demand increased day by day . With parts of the key parts to enhance the accuracy of Table 2.

The automotive market update for half a year ,the international machine enterprise update the products for 2 to 3 year, and our products remained unchanged over the years, many parts of structural design has not changed after they have been in use ever since. Strongly continuous improvement can make up for congenital inadequate design, modern design, technology and manufacturing standards, can be said that continuous improvement and new product development is as important as the technical work.

( 5 ) To promote the main function of researching

The host country are only concerned about the design and manufacture, resulting in CNC machine tool features (such as ball screw, rolling guide, CNC turret lathe, machining center tool storage and mechanical hand), or of poor quality, reliability is less than foreign brands or is blank. So we must speed up the machine features self-study and improve the overall technical level, the current five-axis horizontal Shenyang Machine Tool B-axis spindle, feed systems, electrical control features that research has been no substantive breakthroughs in key technologies have not yet mastered.

4 A wide of market prospects

China''s sustained and steady economic growth, the development of CNC machine tool industry provides a vast space, military, aerospace, shipbuilding industry, automobile and parts manufacturing of CNC machine tools, especially high-end surge in demand for CNC machine tools. Domestic Large enterprises have set foot in five-axis machine tools, but are currently at an experimental stage, the user very little.

( l ) Capacity of the market

Currently not on the five-axis milling center for the production and sales statistics of the data, one in June 2007, a lathe 7240 Taiwan imported 336 million U.S. dollars worth, of which 3446 sets CNC lathe 299 million U.S. dollars worth, according to the proportion of high-grade Number of units 1 / 5 with a total value of 689 units, estimated at more than 150 million U.S. dollars.

 (2) Good policy

Procurement of military industrial enterprises, the preferred domestic equipment .2007 COSTIND in September issued a "military construction project to encourage procurement of certain provisions of domestic equipment," clearly the first choice of domestic military construction projects of independent innovation products, and gradually increase the purchase of domestic equipment ratio, that the domestic machine tool industry is very favorable. specified within the enterprise, purchasing the first Taiwan-made equipment, a major purchaser can be set ahead of schedule procurement procedures, to sign purchase agreement, all investments are needed be assigned by the central government.

( 3 ) Military market demand

"Eleventh Five-Year Plan" period, China''s national defense equipment in the field of technical innovation for the investment of about 250 billion, China''s defense industry will be one step rapid development track, so huge the demand will further drive the technical innovation manufacturing equipment procurement needs of rapid growth. technological transformation intensified military industry, continued growth in demand on the machine tool, aviation, aerospace and defense companies as early as most factories, equipment old state of serious, the 50s? 60''s products account for 60% of existing equipment companies a 70 %, of the 20th century, after 90% of the equipment only clever. military industry into the equipment replacement cycle, with the growing national economy, aerospace and military industry has undergone a great change, in order to fully enhance the production capacity and research ability group of 10 military launched a large number of technological transformation projects, the equipment in order to change the current situation, the field continues to grow on high-end machine.

Aerospace industry, "during" the launch of spacecraft and launch vehicle will be more frequent, while upgrading and higher load of technical quality requirements, related equipment will be updated to promote the rapid expansion of demand. Aerospace industry in the new century the demand for machine tools, can be summarized as high-speed, multi-axis, precision, large-scale, 40% to 50% of five-axis for precision, complex parts processing.

5 Marketing strategy

Horizontal five-axis milling centers as leaders test marketing of products entering the market, there has not been user acceptance, increased sales slow, the production volume is small, a large trial costs, manufacturing costs of high disadvantage. Combination of five-axis milling centers Ten target user group, is mainly the status of military industrial enterprises, to develop appropriate policy guidance to the marketing and sales, to achieve the purpose of gradually expanding market share.

   ( l ) Stable product quality

Gradually improve the existing product structure configuration, complete modules, improve product quality, reduce the level of the international machine tool manufacturer; the basic work processes to increase user research efforts, to provide users with personalization tools, provide the perfect solution; speed up the delivery schedule reduce user complaints.

( 2 ) Price strategy

Price is not the dominant factor, excellent technology, strong production capacity, excellent service is fundamental. The current market competition, mainly foreign companies, the price is the machine''s 2 1 3 times, parts, service status of the high cost of the proposed an appropriate increase in the price of such machines, the development of enterprises for profit. tendering on major projects in specific circumstances as competitors can adopt flexible pricing strategies to maximize market share.

( 3 ) distribution channels strategy

Military enterprises purchasing channels and main channel of the current machines are quite different agents. So many friends, to encourage strong participation in military enterprises tender agent, actively promote product sales.

( 4 ) Shoot a lot of promoting

To foster market awareness and visibility for the purpose of improving product through various exhibitions at home and abroad, media, network and a lot of promote and enhance the user''s understanding of the product and brand memory; allow users to understand the capabilities and levels of high-end machine, willing to to try new products and gradually accepted. full use of different media combinations to achieve the rapid occupation of the market, enhance brand awareness of the purpose of future development for the product lay a good foundation.

( 5 ) cultivate typical users

The good example is very powerful, the typical user of the pre-project through the great significance of radiation to achieve a point on behalf of the surface of sales strategy. Thd typical user machine is deep, often accumulated many successful experiences, the experience can be extended to sum up other relevant information such as user who can guide the continuous improvement tools. the typical user can offer more valuable requirements, which are good for development of the products.

( 6 ) The powerful communication

Staff at all levels to strengthen high-level exchanges and communication with customers to meet customer demand as the goal. The ultimate goal of marketing is to customer satisfaction. Effectively improve customer relationship management, keep abreast of customer demands for timely and provide users with the best solutions, effective communication with customers is particularly important.

6 The conclusion words

The five-axis machining technology to the future production will bring about revolutionary changes. Factory mode of production, production organization, production management will change. Herald an era of a fully processed, five-axis machine tools The rapid development will bring the whole industry upgrading, promote innovation in traditional machining concept.