Five-axis tools calibrated in 3D

An IBS Precision Engineering product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Aug 7, 2008

Test system achieves submicron accuracy without the intricate and painstaking procedures of traditional machine alignment and setup methods.

The innovative R-test system from measurement specialist, IBS Precision Engineering offers a fast and precise method of determining rotary axis location in multiple axis machine tools, with results output as simple x, y and z co-ordinate readouts.

The ability of users to maximise the capabilities of their five-axis machine tool investments - and to meet customers' demands for increasingly tight manufacturing tolerances - hinges on the precise alignment and calibration of their production equipment.

At the heart of this task is the need to determine the true position of rotating axes with respect to linear machine axes.

The new R-test system from IBS Precision Engineering provides data analysis to ISO230 machine tool testing standard and achieves submicron accuracy without the intricate and painstaking procedures of traditional machine alignment and setup methods.

It is suitable for calibrating swivelling head as well as both 360 degree and limited arc rotary table CNC machines, with offset errors for rotating axes computed either independently or in combination.

The portable R-test system consists of an MT-Check probe with interface unit, a stem-mounted precision 22mm-diameter carbide Masterball, tool-holder with alignment unit and all necessary mounting tools.

It is ideal for CNC machine users and builders alike and produces results in minutes without special operator knowledge or experience.

The system's MT-Check probe contains three planar elements, which are brought into contact with the Masterball to take a reading.

The displacements of the contacts are monitored by three independent measuring systems as the Masterball is rotated - enabling its centre point co-ordinates to be determined precisely in the x, y and z machine directions.

The R-test offers both static and dynamic operation, with intuitive Windows-based software outputting readings quickly and conveniently to a laptop PC.

In both cases, the Masterball is mounted arbitrarily on the rotating part of the machine and the high precision probe unit attached to a nonrotating element.

Static calibration accurately measures axis location errors, and use in dynamic mode provides total machine calibration in 3D - reflecting full five-axis operation.

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