Five-axis machine tool calibration by probing a scale enriched reconfigurable uncalibrated master balls artefact

Abstract On-machine probing of a reconfigurable uncalibrated master balls artefact enriched with a ball bar artefact provides sufficient data to estimate all axis to axis location errors and some axis component errors of a five-axis machine tool. Numerical simulations supported by experimental trials are presented in the case of a five-axis horizontal machining centre using artefacts with up to 26 balls for estimation of ten location errors, including the spindle translational errors, and all three linear axes positioning linear error terms. Volumetric error prediction capability, the impact of data selection on parameter estimation and thermal effect tracking are addressed.