I hate being a cynic because I like seeing new ideas but you'll find the machine tool builders of the world have come to some common attributes regarding construction of metalworking machinery. Learning from them can save a lot of headaches.
The number one feature of a machine tool is mass. The more, the better. Mass increases rigidity and absorbs vibrations. Despite how strong carbon fiber is, no one builds machine tools out if it. Huge lumps of iron have been the material of choice for centuries even when cost is no object. The most accruate encoders are wasted if the machine deflects under load. By contrast, the machines that stuff circuit boards are stupid fast because they encounter no load other than their own mass, so lighter is better in that application.
The second feature is big motors. If the mass needs to move faster (i.e. HSM), then bigger servo motors are installed with high current/voltage amps to drive them. The mass is never decreased so smaller motors will be "faster". The servos just get bigger.
You probably need to define what constitutes HSM to this project and establish some parameters regarding accuracy and material removal rates. HSM seems to mean different things to different people often. Do you have some goals that you're trying to meet/exceed?  |