Non-bar, an optical calibration system for five-axis CNC machine tools

• Published in: International journal of machine tools & manufacture Vol. 59; pp. 16 - 23
• Main Authors: Jywe, Wenyuh, Hsu, Tung-Hui, Liu, C.-H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bars; Calibration; Computer numerical control; Exact sciences and technology; Five-axis CNC machine tool; Industrial metrology. Testing; ISO/CD 10791-6; Machine tools; Measurement methods; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Modules; Optical calibration system; Reproducibility; Five-axis CNC machine tool; Optical calibration system; ISO/CD 10791-6; Ball; Computer digital control; Measurement sensor; High precision; Calibration; Optical system; Optical measurement; Five axis machine; Machine tool; Three axis machine; Reproducibility; Simultaneous measurement; Measurement accuracy
• ISSN: 0890-6955; 1879-2170
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2012.01.004

Five-axis CNC machine tools comprise three linear axes and two rotary axes, enabling the fabrication of complex workpieces, such as dies, turbo blades, and cams. Improved measurement methods are continually being researched to increase the accuracy of five-axis CNC machine tools. This paper presents a novel optical calibration system, called non-bar, with no linkage bars. The system comprises a master detector module, a ball lens module, and a signal module. The proposed measurement system was implemented according to ISO/CD 10791-6 to measure A-type, B-type, and C-type five-axis CNC machine tools from three different manufacturers. The results demonstrate that the proposed non-bar measurement scheme provides high accuracy, high reproducibility, and simultaneous multi-axis measurement. ► The non-bar is an optical calibration system with no linkage bar. ► The total error associated with simultaneous multi-axis movement was obtained. ► It was implemented according to ISO/CD 10791-6 to measure 3 typical 5-axis CNC machine tools. ► It was characterized high accuracy (< 1μm), high reproducibility (±0.3μm), and simultaneously measurement of multi-axis work.