Methodology for Process-independent Energetic Assessment of Machine Tools

Energy-labels draw users' attention to energy efficiency and thus they force the manufacturers to reduce the energy consumption of their products. This paper focuses on the large variety of metal-cutting machine tools, representing a challenge to find an evaluation basis for a unique energy-label. For this reason, the process-independent energy consumption has been compared to machine tool features and properties. The data-base contains measured values and has been extended by values from literature. Concerning a large number of various machining centers for milling operations, the statistical analysis shows the influence of the different machine tool features and properties on energy consumption. Finally, an evaluation basis is presented and the applicability on energy-labels is discussed.