Aims • To develop a large prototype machine tool, 9m *6M *2M, to be used in an ambient temperature workshop to an accuracy of less than 1 O~M. • To investigate ways of improving the mechanical stiffness of the structures and drive elements of a large gantry machining centre. • To incorporate the latest G30 indexing head from CYTEC SYSTEMS into the prototype machine. Deliverables. • A full working machine complete with compensating software. • Complete set of engineering designs. • Test results prior to machining trials. • Machining trials in an ambient temperature workshop