The machine tool: the mother of all machines
The history of the machine tool really took off with the advent of industrial production in the 19th century. The steam engine was the key technology that made it possible to mechanize the drive of machines. From then on, motorization replaced human muscle power, leading to a huge increase in productivity. To this day, machine tools are indispensable for industrial production and the manufacture of precise workpieces. Whether milling machines, machining centers or metal cutting machines, modern machines combine high accuracy with efficiency. Many everyday products have only become possible through the use of machine tools.
The modern world as we know it would be unthinkable without machine tools. They use specialized tools to enable the precise machining of workpieces. The machine precisely coordinates the movement of the tool and the workpiece in relation to each other. Depending on the manufacturing process, a distinction is made between primary shaping, shaping and cutting machines.
What types of machine tools are there?
In particular, their high precision and the almost unlimited geometric variety of machining operations ensure that these machine tools will continue to play a central role in industrial manufacturing in the years to come:
- Primary shaping machines produce a workpiece by bringing material into a basic shape, as in the case of casting or forging machines. They produce blanks that are then further processed.
- Shaping machine tools change the shape of a workpiece without removing material. These include machines such as punching machines, bending machines and presses, which are mainly used in metalworking.
- Cutting machines are the most common category and are used to remove material from a workpiece. They include CNC milling machines, CNC lathes for efficient turning, CNC grinding machines and CNC boring machines. CNC machines allow a high degree of precision in machining and are used in almost all industries, from automotive to aerospace.
The importance of machine tools for industry and progress
The development of machine tools has not only revolutionized industrial production, it has also had a decisive influence on technological progress. Almost all industrially manufactured goods – from engines and power units to electronics in elegant aluminum housings – are produced using machine tools. It is not for nothing that they are known as the 'mother of all machines'. They form the basis for the design and manufacture of important assemblies and components.
The importance of the modern machine tool industry is particularly evident in highly innovative economies such as Germany and Japan. These countries have been setting standards for decades, developing ever more powerful and precise machinery and driving digital transformation (DX). These innovations, in turn, have enabled advances in other areas: for example, ever-improving implants in medical technology, lightweight materials in aerospace, and highly efficient production facilities in automotive engineering. As well as paving the way for innovation and technological excellence, machine tools also play a key role in driving process integration and flexible solutions in CNC automation.
Tomorrow's machine tools: a harmonious blend of traditional and new manufacturing processes
Despite rapid advances in technology, proven manufacturing processes remain essential. Increasing demands for surface quality and ever greater dimensional, shape and positional accuracy and functionality ensure that cutting machine tools will continue to play a central role on shop floors worldwide.
At the same time, processes such as additive manufacturing show great potential. They are an ideal complement to traditional machining methods. By cleverly combining cutting processes with additive technologies, for example, designers have more freedom in product design and the ability to better integrate functions. This coexistence also opens up new possibilities in the production of complex parts.
The future development of machine tools will be characterized by precision, productivity and reliability. In addition, there is a growing demand for automation and flexible manufacturing solutions to meet the dynamic needs of industry. New technologies and the ever-closer links between mechanical engineering and information technology are key drivers of this development. The Digital Twin, for example, enables virtual simulation to optimize processes and increase manufacturing efficiency.
DMG MORI: where tradition and innovation meet
DMG MORI is a technology leader with a long tradition. Since its foundation in 1870, the company has set numerous milestones in the development of machine tools. Progressive thinking and the courage to break new ground continue to shape the company's philosophy and have made DMG MORI one of the world's leading manufacturers of high-precision machine tools.
DMG MORI continues to build on the strong foundations of this tradition, focusing on the strategic priorities of industrial automation, digitalization and sustainability. The green transformation, a central component of the company's future strategy, is being pursued intensively as a further step towards a climate-neutral future. The company is consistently driving forward the convergence of mechanical engineering and digital technologies, such as the use of artificial intelligence in production. At the same time, DMG MORI is transforming itself from a pure machinery manufacturer to a holistic value-added partner and pioneer for its customers.
DMG MORI: Driving innovation with machine tools