Invaluable, hard-to-find information on the optimum purchase, design, and installation of large-scale, ultra-expensive machine tools. Written by an engineer with many years of experience in the machine tool industry machine tools: specification, purchase, and installation offers guidelines to help facility, plant, project, and maintenance engineers work with others in the company - such as architects, accountants, and project managers - to follow the necessary plans to properly purchase and install machine tools. The result is significant cost savings. The process of replacing or repairing machine tools too often takes longer and costs much more than expected because of issues with the foundations, lack of planning, or poor design. This book addresses this issue in depth. It takes engineers, step by step, through the process of setting up a new machine tool from scratch or replacing old, worn out equipment. This practical guide covers budget, procurement, layout, foundation, preparation, installation, and start-up. Real-world information from a long-time machine tool industry project engineer offers suggestions for consolidating costs and speaking with those outside of the engineering department, so everyone is on the same page takes into account all necessary services - from power source, water, coolants, electric work, clean up and warranty