Parallel Link Mechanism Machine Tools: Acceptance Testing and Performance Analysis

The Department of Manufacturing Engineering and Operations Management at The University of Nottingham was the first research establishment in Europe to acquire a Parallel Link Mechanism (PLM) Machine tool. The machine, purchased as part of a 4 year research initiative1, is Giddings and Lewis’ first production Variax Hexacenter™. To properly ascertain the full capability of a machine tool a variety of tests are required and for this purpose a number of standards have been established and widely accepted. These test procedures have been developed over the years to suit serial kinematic mechanism machines and at present there are no acceptance standards designed specifically for PLM Machine tools. Some of the standard tests are suitable for comparison with conventional machines but there is definite scope for additional tests designed to be more revealing for PLM machines.