Algorithm for detecting volumetric geometric accuracy of NC machine tool by laser tracker

Quick and accurate detecting the error of NC machine tool and performing the error compensation are important to improve the machining accuracy of NC machine tool. Currently, there are many methods for detecting the geometric accuracy of NC machine tool. However, these methods have deficiencies in detection efficiency and accuracy as well as in versatility. In the paper, a method with laser tracker based on the multi-station and time-sharing measurement principle is proposed, and this method can rapidly and accurately detect the geometric accuracy of NC machine tool. The machine tool is controlled to move in the preset path in a 3D space or 2D plane, and a laser tracker is used to measure the same motion trajectory of the machine tool successively at different base stations. The original algorithm for multi-station and time-sharing measurement is improved. The space coordinates of the measuring point obtained by the laser tracker are taken as parameter values, and the initial position of each base point can be determined. The redundant equation concerning the base point calibration can be established by the distance information of the laser tracker, and the position of each base point is further determined by solving the equation with least squares method, then the space coordinates of each measuring point can be calibrated. The singular matrix does not occur in calculation with the improved algorithm, which overcomes the limitations of the original algorithm, that the motion trajectory of machine tool is in a 3D space and there exits height difference between the base stations. Adopting the improved algorithm can expand the application of multi-station and time-sharing measurement, and can meet the quick and accurate detecting requirements for different types of NC machine tool.