Mass reduction of the machine tool movable parts is a tool for achieving lower energy demands of the machine tool operation. The realization of lightweight design in machine tool can be achieved by structural lightweight design and material lightweight design. In this study, topology optimization strategy was applied to design optimized structures of movable parts of 5 axis machining center. The weight of ram which has most significant influence on the stiffness of whole machine tool was reduced without stiffness deterioration. The redesigned optimized ram has 24.2% less weight while maintaining the same displacement caused by cutting force.
