Machine Tool Thermal Error Measurement and Prediction via Wireless Microscope

Published

October 1, 2024

Author(s)

Zongze Li, Gregory Vogl, Edward Kinzel, Botond Santa, Robert Landers

Abstract

A novel method is proposed to measure the thermal errors of a three-axis machine tool by taking images of unique custom-designed fiducials attached to a worktable using a wireless microscope mounted to the spindle. Multiple fiducials are applied for the measurement of different thermal errors at various worktable locations. In addition, a least-squares thermal error model within the work volume is proposed in which the model parameters are determined from various fiducial measurements, and the use of various fiducials for the thermal error model is analyzed. The results show the method can measure thermal errors within four machine tools resolutions, with most of the errors being within one or two machine tool resolutions. Further, the results show the thermal error model depends on the location of the fiducials used to construct the model. The unique numbering system for the fiducial patterns also allows for the measurement of large planar thermal errors, which is advantageous for machine tools that undergo significant thermal drift.

Citation

Manufacturing Letters

Volume

41

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mfglet.2024.09.171

Local Download

Keywords

machine tool, thermal error

Citation

Li, Z. , Vogl, G. , Kinzel, E. , Santa, B. and Landers, R. (2024), Machine Tool Thermal Error Measurement and Prediction via Wireless Microscope, Manufacturing Letters, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mfglet.2024.09.171, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=957076 (Accessed April 10, 2025)