R-test-based identification method for geometric errors of rotary axes in a five-axis machine tool with a rotary table and tilting head

Abstract

This paper uses an R-test method to identify the 20 geometric errors of the two rotary axes in a five-axis machine tool with a tilting head and a rotary table. The Position-Independent Geometric Errors (PIGEs) result in deviations of the actual axis from the ideal axis, leading to the overall deviation of the set points on the circular trajectory. Therefore, the actual circular trajectory can be fitted by measuring the actual coordinates of the set points, and the actual axis can be further solved to establish the solution equation of PIGEs. Further, the volumetric error model for the set points is constructed, and the unknown motion matrices associated with the linear axes in the volumetric error model are adjusted, allowing for the determination of Position-Dependent Geometric Errors (PDGEs). This method can identify geometric errors of the two rotary axes by measuring six sets of circular trajectories under three setups.