The production of customized products in small batches, combined with short innovation cycles, presents challenges for production technology. Reconfigurable manufacturing systems with flexible functionality and technology can be part of the solution.

As part of a research project funded by the Innovation Campus Mobility of the Future (ICM), a modular machine tool is being developed at the Institute for Control Engineering of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Units (ISW) at the University of Stuttgart. The main goal is to combine different manufacturing technologies. To this end, a modular approach is being pursued, implemented in the form of interchangeable process modules.

The technologies addressed include 3D printing (binder jetting and fused deposition modeling), classic machining processes such as milling, and laser processing, such as laser cutting or laser scanning. Due to the sometimes very different requirements (forces, accelerations, stiffness, etc.) of the manufacturing processes on machine kinematics and design, developing a modular machine tool that optimally meets all of these requirements presents a significant challenge.

The lecture was given as part of the Trend outlook for January 27, 2026 Presented by Maximilian Nistler, Institute for Control Engineering of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Units (ISW), University of Stuttgart. This presentation provides an insight into the potential of modular manufacturing systems and the resulting challenges for control engineering, and showcases current solutions from university research.

Further information about the Institute for Control Engineering of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Units (ISW) at the University of Stuttgart can be found at: www.isw.uni-stuttgart.de