On-machine identification of rotary axis location errors under thermal influence by spindle rotation

• Published in: Precision engineering Vol. 55; pp. 42 - 47
• Main Authors: Ibaraki, Soichi, Inui, Hiroki, Hong, Cefu, Nishikawa, Shizuo, Shimoike, Masahiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.01.2019
• Subjects: Error calibration; Five-axis; Machine tool; Metrology; Thermal deformation; Tool measurement; Error calibration; Metrology; Machine tool; Tool measurement; Five-axis; Thermal deformation
• ISSN: 0141-6359; 1873-2372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.precisioneng.2018.08.005

Position and orientation errors of rotary axis average lines are often among dominant error contributors in the five-axis kinematics. Although many error calibration schemes are available to identify them on -machine, they cannot be performed when a machine spindle is rotating. Rotary axis location errors are often influenced by the machine's thermal deformation. This paper presents the application of a non-contact laser light barrier system, widely used in the industry for tool geometry measurement, to the identification of rotary axis location errors, when the spindle rotates in the same speed as in actual machining applications. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is verified by experimental comparison with the R-Test and a machining test. The uncertainty analysis is also presented. •Many error calibration schemes for 5-axis machine tools cannot be performed when a machine spindle is rotating.•Thermal deformation caused by spindle rotation often changes rotary axis location errors in actual machining processes.•This paper presents a scheme to calibrate rotary axis location errors under spindle rotation.•A laser light barrier system for tool measurement is used for tool position measurement.•The effectiveness is verified by experimental comparison with the R-Test and a machining test.