Geometric Error Identification of Gantry-Type CNC Machine Tool Based on Multi-Station Synchronization Laser Tracers

Laser tracers are a three-dimensional coordinate measurement system that are widely used in industrial measurement.We propose a geometric error identification method based on multi-station synchronization laser tracers to enable the rapid and high-precision measurement of geometric errors for gantry-type computer numerical control(CNC)machine tools.This method also improves on the existing measurement efficiency issues in the single-base station measurement method and multi-base station time-sharing measurement method.We consider a three-axis gantry-type CNC machine tool,and the geometric error mathematical model is derived and established based on the combination of screw theory and a topological analysis of the machine kinematic chain.The four-station laser tracers position and measurement points are realized based on the multi-point positioning principle.A self-calibration algorithm is proposed for the coordinate calibration process of a laser tracer using the Levenberg-Marquardt nonlinear least squares method,and the geometric error is solved using Taylor’s first-order linearization iteration.The experimental results show that the geometric error calculated based on this modeling method is comparable to the results from the Etalon laser tracer.For a volume of 800 mm×1000 mm×350 mm,the maximum differences of the linear,angular,and spatial position errors were 2.0μm,2.7μrad,and 12.0μm,respectively,which verifies the accuracy of the proposed algorithm.This research proposes a modeling method for the precise measurement of errors in machine tools,and the applied nature of this study also makes it relevant both to researchers and those in the industrial sector.

Separation of Comprehensive Geometrical Errors of a 3-DOF Parallel Manipulator Based on Jacobian Matrix and Its Sensitivity Analysis with Monte-Carlo Method

Parallel kinematic machines （PKMs） have the advantages of a compact structure,high stiffness,a low moving inertia,and a high load/weight ratio.PKMs have been intensively studied since the 1980s,and are still attracting much attention.Compared with extensive researches focus on their type/dimensional synthesis,kinematic/dynamic analyses,the error modeling and separation issues in PKMs are not studied adequately,which is one of the most important obstacles in its commercial applications widely.Taking a 3-PRS parallel manipulator as an example,this paper presents a separation method of source errors for 3-DOF parallel manipulator into the compensable and non-compensable errors effectively.The kinematic analysis of 3-PRS parallel manipulator leads to its six-dimension Jacobian matrix,which can be mapped into the Jacobian matrix of actuations and constraints,and then the compensable and non-compensable errors can be separated accordingly.The compensable errors can be compensated by the kinematic calibration,while the non-compensable errors may be adjusted by the manufacturing and assembling process.Followed by the influence of the latter,i.e.,the non-compensable errors,on the pose error of the moving platform through the sensitivity analysis with the aid of the Monte-Carlo method,meanwhile,the configurations of the manipulator are sought as the pose errors of the moving platform approaching their maximum.The compensable and non-compensable errors in limited-DOF parallel manipulators can be separated effectively by means of the Jacobian matrix of actuations and constraints,providing designers with an informative guideline to taking proper measures for enhancing the pose accuracy via component tolerancing and/or kinematic calibration,which can lay the foundation for the error distinguishment and compensation.

Review of self-referenced measurement algorithms： Bridging lateral shearing interferometry and multi-probe error separation

With the development of new materials and ultra-precision processing technology, the sizes of mea- sured objects increase, and the requirements for machining accuracy and surface quality become more exacting. The traditional measurement method based on reference datum is inadequate for measuring a high-precision object when the quality of the reference datum is approximately within the same order as that of the object. Self-referenced measurement techniques provide an effective means when the direct reference-based method cannot satisfy the required measurement or calibration accuracy. This paper discusses the reconstruction algorithms for self-referenced measurement and connects lateral shearing interferometry and multi-probe error separation. In lateral shearing interferometry, the reconstruction algorithms are generally categorized into modal or zonal methods. The multi-probe error separation techniques for straightness measurement are broadly divided into two-point and three-point methods. The common features of the lateral sheafing interferometry method and the multi-probe error separation method are identified. We conclude that the reconstruction principle in lateral shearing interferometry is similar to the two-point method in error separation on the condition that no yaw error exists. This similarity may provide a basis or inspiration for the development of both classes of methods.

Three-Probe Error Separation with Chromatic Confocal Sensors for Roundness Measurement

In this study,three-probe error separation was developed with three chromatic confocal displacement sensors for roundness measurement.Here,the harmonic suppression is discussed first to set suitable orientation angles among three sensors.Monte Carlo simulation is utilized to test the error separation and optimize the orientation angles and off-axial distance.The experimental setup is established using chromatic confocal sensors with a precise rotary platform.The experimental results show that the measured roundness with an orientation-angle combination of(0°,90.1°,and 178.6°)is much better than that of another nonoptimal selection(0°,90.4°,and 177.4°).The roundness error is only 0.7%between the proposed measurement system and an expensive ultraprecision roundness meter.Furthermore,it is proven that the eccentricity distance should be decreased as small as possible to improve the measurement accuracy.In sum,this paper proposes a feasible method for roundness measurement with reliable simulations,easily integrated sensors,and an ordinary precision rotary platform.

Orthogonality of inductosyn angle-measuring system error and error-separating technology

Round inductosyn is widely used in inertial navigation test equipment, and its accuracy has significant effect on the general accuracy of the equipment. Four main errors of round inductosyn,i.e. the first-order long-period (360°) harmonic error, the second-order long-period harmonic error, the first-order short-period harmonic error and the second-order short-period harmonic error, are described, and the orthogonality of these four kinds of errors is studied. An error separating technology is proposed to separate these four kinds of errors, and in the process of separating the short-period harmonic errors, the arrangement in the order of decimal part of the angle pitch number can be omitted. The effectiveness of the technology proposed is proved through measuring and adjusting the angular errors.

A New Method of Error Compensation for Numerical Control System

This paper presents a method of rapid machine tool error modeling, separation, and compensation using grating ruler. A robust modeling procedure for geometric errors is developed and a fast data processing algorithm is designed by using the error separation technique. After compensation with the new method, the maximum position error of the experiment workbench can be reduced from 400 μm to 15 μm. The experimental results show the effectiveness and accuracy of this method.

High Accuracy On-line Measurement Method of Motion Error on Machine Tools Straight-going Parts

Harmonic suppression, non-periodic and non-closing in straightness profile error that will bring about harmonic component distortion in measurement result are analyzed. The countermeasure-a novel accurate two-probe method in time domain is put forward to measure straight-going component motion error in machine tools based on the frequency domain 3-point method after symmetrical continuation of probes' primitive signal. Both straight-going component motion error in machine tools and the profile error in workpiece that is manufactured on this machine can be measured at the same time. The information is available to diagnose the fault origin of machine tools. The analysis result is proved to be correct by the experiment.

Axis intersection measurement of three-axis turntable with two crosshair targets

In order to measure three-axis intersection error, two crosshair targets were fixed in the inner axis frame of a three-axis turntable. Also a theodolite was used to point its telescope to the targets and to measure the horizontal angles when three axes were on equi-spaced angle positions. The calculation equations of the axis intersection were deduced from the mounting position of the theodolite, positions of two targets, angular positions of three axes, and the measured horizontal angles with the theodolite. Finally, a practical measurement is carried out on a horizontal three-axis turntable and error analysis is conducted.