Positioning error prediction and compensation of ball screw feed drive system with different mounting conditions

Abstract

For semi-closed-loop computer numerical control machine tool, the pitch error of screw caused by thermal expansion can deteriorate the positioning accuracy of ball screw feed drive system. This study presents different prediction models for positioning error of ball screw feed drive system based on the mounting condition, where the total error is separated into geometric error and thermal error. The coefficients in the model are identified using the multiple linear regression method. The prediction model is validated and the error compensation is also done for the X axis of a three-axis computer numerical control milling machine. The test results show that the model developed can well predict the thermal error under any given temperature as well as position during the temperature rising process of ball screw, and it can greatly improve the system positioning accuracy through compensation.