TheLaserTRACER-ModernMachineShop.PDFVIP

LaserTRACER™ – Highest Measuring Accuracy for Machine Tool Error Compensation Volumetric Accuracy of Machine Tools The geometric accuracy of machine tools is highly important for the quality of the manufactured products. Especially in flexible manufacturing, for which a zero defect production is required starting from the first part produced, a reliable geometry in the total working volume is indispensable. Furthermore, users increasingly demand geometric control in the manufacturing process, rather than in the measurement room. To achieve this, better calibration and inspection processes of machine tools are important. Causes of Geometric Errors Geometric errors in the working volume result from the overlapping errors of the single axes. The DIN/ISO 230-1 standard describes these errors and provides a terminology (see box). The errors of a single axis has 6 components: The position error in the direction of the axis movement, two straightness errors perpendicular to the direction of movement, and three rotary movements: pitch, roll, and yaw. These components are shown in Fig. 1 using the x-axis in a machining center as an example. These movements also occur in the other axes; in addition there are constant squareness errors between the axes. Fig. 1: Error components of a linear axis How to Achieve Volumetric Accuracy A considerable part of the cost of modern machine tools results from their mechanical precision requirements. Close geometric tolerances affect the assembly and commissioning, add costs and require long throughput times. In spite of best efforts, noticeable errors can be found in the finally assembled machine. This is where numeric compensation starts: If the errors are known, an increasing number of advanced controllers can correct the nominal positions in the controller. In this way, such errors no longer have an effect on the geometry of the manufactured part [1]. While the ©2009 Pa