Tsinghua (Department of Precision Instruments)-Tontec CNC Technology and Research Center was founded on October 24th, 2008. The aim of the Center is to promote the China’s CNC machine tools’ manufacturing technologies, and to build a national brand in CNC machine tools’ manufacturing by taking advantages of Tsinghua’s research strengths in Mechanical Engineering area especially in the field of advanced manufacturing technology and equipment, as well as Tontec Technology’s engineering practices on CNC machine tools manufacturing. The current research projects of the center include: the studies of Tontec MCH63 NC horizontal machine center, VCML NC vertical machine center, and SL50 NC machine tool, and etc. The mentioned studies involve the common problems of CNC machine tools: the comprehensive performance analysis of machine tools, the reliability analysis of machine tools. Throughout the collaborations, the expected outcome is to enhance the current machine tools’ performance, and to accumulate innovative technologies for the development of CNC machine tools in the future.

The key techniques of the Center rely on the research activities of the Tsinghua CNC Research Laboratory, which includes NC machining tools, NC equipment, NC programming, Servomechanism, and Mechatronics. Especially, the Laboratory emphasizes the key technologies of network based multi-channel NC, network based digital AC servo drive, performance analysis and optimization of machining tools, etc.

The Laboratory has accomplished a number of research projects, including National Science and Technology Major Projects, National Natural Science Foundation of China, National High-tech R&D Programs (863 Program), Projects cooperated with provinces and enterprises. The research outcomes have obtained several Provincial and Ministerial Level Scientific and Technological Progress Award, and more than 20 national patents, over 150 research papers and a number of monographs. To promote the application of research outcomes, “Tsinghua-Gona NC System Collaborative Engineering Laboratory” was funded which aims at developing CNC systems. “Tsinghua-Tontec Technology and Research Center” was founded which emphasizes on the research of CNC machine tool technology.

Emphasized on the area of CNC technology and advanced manufacturing equipment and automation, CNC Laboratory has conducted a series of teaching and research work in the related fields, such as CNC equipment, CNC machining, mechatronics, servo drives.

Research projects:

• National Natural Science Foundation of China (8632002AA424051): Natural science overall design and Key Technologies of the giant radio telescope (FAST)

• Research on a novel two-cycle micro pendulum type combustion engine, Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (2004 to 2006):

• Space curve of permanent magnet synchronous direct drive system, Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China（50605037）：

• Tracking Control Design for Time-Varying Systems, sponsored by National Natural Science Foundation of China (2011 to 2013)

• The Development of High-Speed Network Communications based Precision Position Control System, Supported by National High-tech R&D Program (863 Program) （2001AA423260）

• The Development of a CNC system and Application Software Supported by National High-tech R&D Program (863 Program) （2002AA424041）

• CNC Machine Tools for the Large Fresnel Lens Supported by National High-tech R&D Program (863 Program) （2004AA424160）

• Multi-axes NC system for mouth rehabilitation, Sponsored by National High-tech R&D Program of China (2005 - 2007)

• Open All-digital High-grade Digital Device Based on Fiber-optic Bus Supported by National Science and Technology Major Project (2009ZX04009-012)

• Research of Stiffness of Key Components on CNC Traveling Column Vertical Milling Lathe Supported by National Science and Technology Major Project (2009zx04002-021)

• Online detection of the crankshaft deviation and the wireless receiver technology Supported by National Science and Technology Major Project（2009ZX04002-051）

• Online Detection and the Wireless Receiver Technology of the Crankshaft Deviation Supported by National Science and Technology Major Project（2008ZX02104-1）

• Rapid Prototyping Equipment of the mouth rehabilitation Supported by National Key Technologies R&D Program（2009BAI81B01）

Development of GT Series and GTP Series CNC System Supported by Tsinghua-Gona Collaborative Laboratory

• Performance Analysis and Optimization Design of MCH63 Horizontal Machining Center Supported by Tsinghua-Tontec Technology and Research Center:

• Development and Application of CNC Machine Tools with Bi-Screw driven high-speed feed system Supported by Tsinghua-Tontec Technology and Research Center:

• There are also a number of cooperation projects with companies including Portable Rope Climbing Robot Electrical and Mechanical Installations, Linear Motor and Its Application Technology, CNC Steel Roller Machine Tools, CNC Fiberglass Winding Machine, The Laser Measuring Instrument of Leaves, Controlling of Graphite Electrode Machining Machine Tool, Embedded NC system, etc.