Compound processing machine tools generally have these characteristics: fewer settings, sometimes even one-off; complex workpieces do not need to be processed on multiple machine tools; fewer workpiece clamping times; fewer machine tools on site, no need to invest a lot on the site.
Machine tool builders are adapting to the expanding market in two ways. One is that they design machine tools that can perform more than one machining operation. Today, some machines can provide milling, drilling, tapping, turning, grinding, welding and leveling functions. Another obvious way of multi-function is to increase the output of the machine tool by accelerating the workpiece clamping speed, which is mainly achieved by adding robots or workpiece clamping mechanisms to a single machine tool or cell. Another interesting factor for multifunctional machines is that most automation and aerospace manufacturers currently tend to reduce the size of their own machining operations and require suppliers to deliver modules directly for assembly. Analysts see that large companies are faced with many problems such as warranty and aging equipment that cannot process high-precision workpieces in large batches, so some large-volume workpieces are now broken down into small batches and subcontracted to multiple suppliers. All of this provides a place for compound machining machines to display their talents.