1. Definitions

According to the Larousse dictionary, a machine tool is "a machine designed to shape material, using mechanically driven tools [...]. A machine tool works either by deforming the material (sheet metal straightening machine, shears, stamping machine, punching machine, bending machine), or by removing metal. We then have :

• machines with continuous circular motion, either of the workpiece (lathe) or of the tool (milling machine, drilling machine, boring machine);

• machines with rectilinear reciprocating motion, either of the workpiece (planer) or of the tool (file vice, mortiser, broaching machine);

• abrasive tool machines in which the tool consists of a grinding wheel, an emery cloth, etc. [...] ;

• transfer machines: in...