Total ballbar dynamic tests for five-axis CNC machine tools

Abstract

The linear and rotary axes of a five-axis machine tool are driven simultaneously to generate a specified tool position and orientation in workpiece coordinates. It is crucial that these servo-controlled axes are of balanced dynamics to achieve high tracking accuracy. In this paper, ballbar circular tests for all possible combinations of linear and rotary axes of a five-axis machine tool are investigated and total ballbar dynamic tests are proposed. Through the relational arrangement of the test sequence, the total ballbar dynamic tests can be employed to identify dynamic differences between linear and rotary axes. More importantly, the velocity gains of the position control loops of all servo-controlled linear and rotary axes can be tuned synchronously to eliminate gain mismatch errors. Experimental results have proved the effectiveness of the new methods. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.