Accuracy test of five-axis CNC machine tool with 3D probe-ball. Part II: errors estimation

To improve the accuracy of CNC machine tools, error sources and its effects on the overall position and orientation errors must be known. Most motional errors in the error model of five-axis machine tool can be measured with modern laser interferometer devices, but there are still some not measurable geometric errors. These not measurable errors include constant, inaccurate link errors of components such as rotary axes block, main spindle block and tool holder. After setting all measured errors in the error model, a reduced error model is defined, which describes the influence of each unknown and not measurable link error on the overall position errors of the five-axis machine tool. On the other hand, the newly developed probe-ball device can measure the overall position errors of five-axis machine tools directly. Based on the reduced model and the overall position errors, the link errors can be estimated very accurately with the least square estimation method. The error model is then fully known and can be used for advanced purposes such as error prediction and compensation.     

A new compensation method for geometry errors of five-axis machine tools

The present study aims to establish a new compensation method for geometry errors of five-axis machine tools. In the kinematic coordinate translation of five-axis machine tools, the tool orientation is determined by the motion position of machine rotation axes, whereas the tool tip position is determined by both machine linear axes and rotation axes together. Furthermore, as a nonlinear relationship exists between the workpiece coordinates and the machine axes coordinates, errors in the workpiece coordinate system are not directly related to those of the machine axes coordinate system. Consequently, the present study develops a new compensation method, the decouple method, for geometry errors of five-axis machine tools. The method proposed is based on a model that considers the tool orientation error only related to motion of machine rotation axes, and it further calculates the error compensations for rotation axes and linear axes separately, in contrast to the conventional method of calculating them simultaneously, i.e. determines the compensation of machine rotation axes first, and then calculates the compensation associated with the machine linear axes. Finally, the compensation mechanism is applied in the postprocessor of a CAM system and the effectiveness of error compensation is evaluated in real machine cutting using compensated NC code. In comparison with previous methods, the present compensation method has attributes of being simple, straightforward and without any singularity point in the model. The results indicate that the accuracy of positioning was improved by a factor of 8–10. Hence, the new compensation mechanism proposed in this study can effectively compensate geometry errors of five-axis machine tools.     

A generalized on-line estimation and control of five-axis contouring errors of CNC machine tools

Nonlinear and configuration-dependent five-axis kinematics make contouring errors difficult to estimate and control in real time. This paper proposes a generalized method for the on-line estimation and control of five-axis contouring errors. First, a generalized Jacobian function is derived based on screw theory in order to synchronize the motions of linear and rotary drives. The contouring error components contributed by all active drives are estimated through interpolated position commands and the generalized Jacobian function. The estimated axis components of contouring errors are fed back to the position commands of each closed loop servo drive with a proportional gain. The proposed contouring error estimation and control methods are general, and applicable to arbitrary five-axis tool paths and any kinematically admissible five-axis machine tools. The proposed algorithms are verified experimentally on a five-axis machine controlled by a modular research CNC system built in-house. The contouring errors are shown to be reduced by half with the proposed method, which is simple to implement in existing CNC systems.     

Modelling geometric and thermal errors in a five-axis cnc machine tool

The total volumetric error within the workspace of a machine tool is induced by the propagation of both scalar and position dependent geometrical errors, as well as time-variant thermal errors. This paper presents a compact volumetric error model which can be used as a basis for a practical compensation scheme. The broad objective is to increase the achievable accuracy of an industrial five-axis CNC machine tool. In place of using Denavit-Hartenberg (D-H) transformations, the method used here directly considers the shape and joint transformations for inaccurate links and joints using small angle approximations and then finds the total volumetric error in the workspace as a function of all the possible errors.The development of the model shows that angular deviations are independent of translational errors. However, the tool point deviations are dependent on both translational and rotational errors. The model has been used for the design and testing of a compensation strategy. The simulation studies indicate that CNC compensation for errors in X, Y and Z axes is possible. However, the capability of the CNC compensation for pitch, roll and yaw errors is dependent on the positioning of the rotary axes on the machine tool. This is shown by an example using the compensation scheme developed.     

Accuracy test of five-axis CNC machine tool with 3D probe–ball. Part I: design and modeling

The error model of CNC machine tool describes the relationship between the individual error source and its effects on the overall position errors. A practical problem in applying this technique to five-axis machine tool is that the predicted position errors cannot be justified. This paper, the first in a set of two, presents a new measurement device, the probe–ball, which can be used to measure the overall position errors of five-axis machine tools directly. To perform the accuracy test, a three-degree-of-freedom (3D) measuring probe is installed in the main spindle and a base plate is fixed on the turntable. The kinematic chain of the five-axis machine tool is then closed through connecting the central ball on the base plate with the extension bar of the probe. To generate simultaneous axes motion under the condition of closed kinematic chain, the central ball is defined as origin of the workpiece coordinate frame and the probe is driven along a path on a spherical test surface with the central ball as center. The overall position errors are measured with the 3D measuring probe. A theoretical model is derived to explain the nature of the probe–ball error measurements.     

五轴联动刀具空间半径补偿研究

五轴联动数控机床主要应用于自由曲面的加工，得到广泛的应用。但五轴联动所涉及的刀具补偿就目前所见资料而言，未能得到很好解决。本文重点分析了刀轴有两个旋转自由度(如B，C)的五轴联动的刀具补偿问题。结果表明经研制的刀具补偿模块在南京四开电子企业的五轴联动数控机床上得到较好应用。     

数控机床误差补偿评价研究

为了提高数控机床的位置精度,保证生产质量,对数控机床位置精度误差性质的分类、辨识方法、误差补偿以及误差补偿效果评价方法进行了研究,提出使用方差分析技术分离机床位置精度误差的系统误差和随机误差,并基于F检验方法推断系统误差所占比重的相对大小、位置精度误差是否需要补偿并能够对补偿的效果做出评价,并用实例验证了该方法的有效性.     

基于激光跟踪仪的数控机床空间误差测量及补偿

为了改变机床空间误差综合性的测量手段和补偿技术在国内机床制造和生产中应用较少的现状和研究数控机床空间精度提升方法，介绍数控机床平动轴的21项误差和激光跟踪仪的空间误差测试原理，阐述测量与辨识机床空间误差的步骤和方法。在桥式五轴加工中心上进行空间误差测试，给出数控机床空间误差结果，并生成误差补偿文件，通过西门子的VCS功能进行了误差补偿。并对比分析了补偿前后的21项误差，对补偿前后数据的差异进行原因分析，并通过对机床空间体对角线的测量验证了空间误差测量与补偿的实际效果，补偿后误差缩小为原来的11.2%,应用该技术能够大大提高机床的空间精度。     

A method of testing position independent geometric errors in rotary axes of a five-axis machine tool using a double ball bar

Ensuring that a five-axis machine tool is operating within tolerance is critical. However, there are few simple and fast methods to identify whether the machine is in a “usable” condition. This paper investigates the use of the double ball bar (DBB) to identify and characterise the position independent geometric errors (PIGEs) in rotary axes of a five-axis machine tool by establishing new testing paths. The proposed method consists of four tests for two rotary axes; the A-axis tests with and without an extension bar and the C-axis tests with and without an extension bar. For the tests without an extension bar, position errors embedded in the A- and C-axes are measured first. Then these position errors can be used in the tests with an extension bar, to obtain the orientation errors in the A- and C-axes based on the given geometric model. All tests are performed with only one axis moving, thus simplifying the error analysis. The proposed method is implemented on a Hermle C600U five-axis machine tool to validate the approach. The results of the DBB tests show that the new method is a good approach to obtaining the geometric errors in rotary axes, thus can be applied to practical use in assembling processes, maintenance and regular checking of multi-axis CNC machine tools.     

Ballbar dynamic tests for rotary axes of five-axis CNC machine tools

This paper proposes a new ball bar test method for the inspection of dynamic errors of rotary axes in five-axis CNC machine tools. The test circle is defined in a workpiece coordinate system and the ball bar test is performed by simultaneously driving of linear–rotary axis couple. The effects of the center position and the radius on the setting values, rotational range and measurement sensitivity of the rotary axis were investigated. The proposed ball bar test is performed in two steps: the circular positioning and the circular tracking with a continuous feed. Axial dynamic errors are obtained by subtracting the measured tracking errors from the positioning errors. A ball bar test system (BBTS) was developed to plan the tool path and the tool orientation, to communicate with the five-axis CNC controller and to process the measured data. Error patterns were simulated regarding the gain mismatch, backlash and tracking direction to help a fast diagnosis of the error sources. Simulations and experimental results prove the effectiveness of the new test method.     

数控机床五轴变换系统设计与研究

为实现数控机床五轴联动加工,基于国内蓝天系列数控系统提出了控制系统结构的改进方法。数控系统分为任务层和运动层,五轴变换单元集成在运动层。在对五轴机床进行分类并分析其几何信息的基础上,设计了机床的五轴运动库。以CA摆头机床为例,推导了其正向和反向运动变换。基于改进系统及五轴运动库,设计并分析了机床旋转刀具中心控制和三维半径补偿端铣。改进系统具有较好的可移植性,可在数控加工中直接执行刀具位置和方向指令。     

Identification and compensation of geometric errors of rotary axes on five-axis machine by on-machine measurement

The geometric errors of rotary axes are the fundamental errors of a five-axis machine tool. They directly affect the machining accuracy, and require periodical measurement, identification and compensation. In this paper, a precise calibration and compensation method for the geometric errors of rotary axes on a five-axis machine tool is proposed. The automated measurement is realized by using an on-the-machine touch-trigger technology and an artifact. A calibration algorithm is proposed to calibrate geometric errors of rotary axes based on the relative displacement of the measured reference point. The geometric errors are individually separated and the coupling effect of the geometric errors of two rotary axes can be avoided. The geometry error of the artifact as well as its setup error has little influence on geometric error calibration results. Then a geometric error compensation algorithm is developed by modifying the numeric control (NC) source file. All the geometric errors of the rotary errors are compensated to improve the machining accuracy. The algorithm can be conveniently integrated into the post process. At last, an experiment on a five-axis machine tool with table A-axis and head B-axis structure validates the feasibility of the proposed method.     

数控机床在线检测系统的定位误差补偿实验研究

为了提高数控机床在线检测精度,研究机床各个轴的定位误差对数控机床在线检测精度的影响。针对数控机床误差补偿进行实验研究,采用激光干涉仪在数控机床上测量出各个轴的定位误差,将各个轴的定位误差依次进行补偿;并以Visual C++6. 0为工具,编写了三次样条曲线的算法程序,将测量的数据点拟合成一条曲线,达到可以预测机床任意点误差的效果;进行标准块检测实验。结果表明:在数控机床在线检测系统中实施误差补偿,效果较为明显,利用补偿软件可以实现对数控机床任意点进行补偿。     

基于多体系统理论的数控机床加工精度几何误差预测模型

针对多轴联动数控机床加工精度误差补偿问题,从分析数控机床误差产生机制和建立精度误差补偿模型的角度,提出基于多体系统理论的数控机床加工精度几何误差预测模型。分析B-A摆头五轴龙门数控机床的拓扑结构关系、低序体阵列、各典型体坐标变换,推导出B-A摆头五轴龙门数控机床的精度几何误差预测函数模型。采用平动轴十二线法误差参数辨识算法,计算出B-A摆头五轴数控机床21项空间几何误差,为精度几何误差预测函数提供有效的误差参数。该精度误差参数建模方法,对不同结构和运动关系的数控机床具有通用性,为后续数控机床误差动态实时补偿提高切削加工精度提供了理论基础。     

数控机床三维空间误差建模及补偿技术研究

为了提高数控机床的加工精度,解决由机床三维空间误差引起的工件加工质量降低的问题,在研究多体系统理论误差建模技术的基础上,提出离线补偿和嵌入式补偿两种补偿策略。离线补偿是基于数控加工程序的修正补偿,将机床三维空间误差映射到数控加工程序,通过修改加工程序实现对机床的三维空间误差补偿;嵌入式补偿是基于数控系统的在线补偿,将机床三维空间误差融合到数控系统中,通过修正数控系统中的数据流实现对机床的三维空间误差补偿。实验表明,在不影响机床可靠性的前提下,两种补偿策略均显著提高了数控机床的加工精度。     

Validation of volumetric error compensation for a five-axis machine using surface mismatch producing tests and on-machine touch probing

In order to validate volumetric error compensation methods for five-axis machine tools, the machining of test parts has been proposed. For such tests, a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) or other external measurement, outside of the machine tool, is required to measure the accuracy of the machined part. In this paper, a series of machining tests are proposed to validate a compensation strategy and compare the machining accuracy before and after the compensation using only on-machine measurements. The basis of the tests is to machine slots, each completed using two different rotary axes indexations of the CNC machine tool. Using directional derivatives of the volumetric errors, it is possible to verify that a surface mismatch is produced between the two halves of the same slot in the presence of specific machine geometric errors. The mismatch at the both sides of the slot, which materializes the machine volumetric errors is measured using touch probing by the erroneous machine itself and with high accuracy since the measurement of both slot halves can be conducted using a single set of rotary axes indexation and in a volumetric region of a few millimetres. The effect of a compensation strategy is then validated by comparing the surface mismatch value for compensated and uncompensated slots.     

机床误差正交光栅检测及补偿的研究

文章提出了多轴机床空间误差的平面正交光栅检测和补偿方法.建立了包含21项几何误差的数控机床误差模型,给出了应用神经网络进行空间误差识别和补偿的技术.通过试验对比,验证了该方法的可行性.     

Accuracy enhancement of five-axis machine tool based on differential motion matrix: Geometric error modeling,identification and compensation

This paper presents the precision enhancement of five-axis machine tools according to differential motion matrix, including geometric error modeling, identification and compensation. Differential motion matrix describes the relationship between transforming differential changes of coordinate frames. Firstly, differential motion matrix of each axis relative to tool is established based on homogenous transformation matrix of tool relative to each axis. Secondly, the influences of errors of each axis on accuracy of tool are calculated with error vector of each axis. The sum of these influences is integration of error components of machine tool in coordinate system of tool. It endows the error modeling clear physical meaning. Moreover, integrated error components are transformed to coordinate frame of working table for integrated error transformation matrix of machine tools. Thirdly, constructed Jacobian is established using differential motion matrix of each axis without extra calculation to compensate the integrated error components of tool. It makes compensation easy and convenient with reuse of intermediate. Fourthly, six-circle method of ballbar is developed based on differential motion matrix to identify all ten error components of each rotary axis. Finally, the experiments are carried out on SmartCNC500 five-axis machine tool to testify the effectiveness of proposed accuracy enhancement with differential motion matrix.     

五轴联动立式磨床几何误差灵敏度研究

以一台五轴联动立式磨床为例,提出了一种分析几何误差灵敏度的方法。基于多体系统理论和齐次坐标变换建立了五轴联动立式磨床的33项几何误差模型,利用求导的方式给出了几何误差灵敏度分析的数学模型。并根据该模型找出了关键几何误差,研究了关键几何误差的灵敏度系数随平移轴运动的变化规律,研究结果为精密机床改进设计和误差的实时补偿提供了理论依据。     

Pre-compensation of contour errors in five-axis CNC machine tools

This paper presents an analytical prediction and compensation of contouring errors in five-axis machining of splined tool paths. The position commands are first fitted to piecewise quintic splines while respecting velocity, acceleration and jerk continuity at the spline joints. The transfer function of each servo drive is kept linear by compensating the disturbance effect of friction with a feed-forward block. Using the analytically represented five-axis, splined tool path, splined tracking errors and kinematic model of the five-axis machine tool, contouring errors are predicted ahead of axis control loops. The contouring errors are decoupled into three linear and two rotary drives, and the position commands are modified before they are sent to servo drives for execution. The proposed method has been experimentally demonstrated to show significant improvement in the accuracy of contouring five-axis tool paths.