Linear Axes Performance Check on a Five-Axis Machine Tool by Probing an Uncalibrated Artefact

Abstract

In this paper, a method is proposed for a rapid performance check of the three linear axes of a five-axis machine by probing a reconfigurable uncalibrated 3D master ball based artefact. The artefact composed of independent master balls is assembled directly to the machine table thus providing flexibility in the number and positions of the balls according to the machine topology and geometry. However, this reconfigurability attribute hinders precise knowledge of artefact’s geometry, so it is uncalibrated. During a test, both rotary axes move to obtain the desired location (relocalisation) of the artefact. Then, for each relocalisation the linear axes are used to perform the probing. A distance based analysis is conducted for the performance check of the linear axes. The analysis is limited to the artefact geometry distortion and not its location thus excluding the potentially erroneous artefact relocalisation accomplished by the rotary axes. Tests are conducted in a laboratory on a five-axis horizontal machine. The results show that the artefact and the proposed method provide a practical tool for assessing the volumetric distortion of linear axes of a five-axis machine.