Five-axis Machine Tool Synchronous Detection Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detecting instruments for five-axis CNC machine tools cannot accurately measure the spatial position error, swing angle, and rotation angle of the tool posture, leading to increased inaccuracy in kinematic measurements.

Innovation Solution

A synchronous detecting mechanism that includes a mounting device with a following-up platform for orthogonal displacement measurement, rotation angle measurement using photoelectric coders, and spatial displacement measurement with three displacement units, allowing concurrent detection of spatial position error, swing angle, and rotation angle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional detecting instruments (laser interferometer, double-ball-bar, laser tracker) are used to measure five-axis CNC machine tool accuracy, then the measurement coverage is limited, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to the complexity of multi-axis movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detecting mechanism is segmented into multiple independent measurement components: three linear displacement sensors for spatial position measurement, two angle sensors for posture measurement, and a following-up platform for orthogonal displacement compensation. Each component focuses on a specific measurement task, improving overall precision while maintaining comprehensive coverage of tool tip position and tool posture parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A following-up platform is introduced as an intermediary device that compensates for orthogonal displacements during measurement. This platform follows the movement of the measured object and maintains a stable measurement reference frame, enabling precise measurements despite the complexity of five-axis synchronous movements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If R-test detector with universal ball-end mandrel is used to measure five-axis CNC machine tool tip displacement error, then the three axial displacement measurement is achieved, but the tool posture measurement capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool tip displacement error measurementVSAvoidmeasurement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The detecting mechanism is designed with multi-functionality to simultaneously measure both tool tip spatial position error and tool posture parameters. By integrating three linear displacement sensors for position measurement and two angle sensors for posture measurement on a unified platform, the system achieves comprehensive measurement capability without sacrificing precision in either domain

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If separate measurement approaches are used for tool tip position error and tool posture, then each parameter can be measured independently, but the synchronous detection capability is lost leading to measurement delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system merges multiple measurement functions into a single integrated detecting mechanism. The three linear displacement sensors, two angle sensors, and following-up platform work simultaneously as a unified system, enabling synchronous detection of tool tip position error and tool posture parameters during five-axis CNC machine tool operation, thereby eliminating measurement delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables real-time measurement of spatial movement, swing angle, and rotation angle, fully covering tool posture and tip position error, reducing measurement delays and improving accuracy, while simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs through a monolithic mounting platform design.

Implementation Method 1

a first photoelectric coder and a connecting shaft. The first photoelectric coder is used to measure the rotation angle of the connecting shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

three displacement sensors measuring the spatial displacement of the center of the ball-end tool installed in the tool chuck

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPosition detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3238875B1Five-axis machine tool cutter posture and cutter tip position error synchronous detection mechanism
Publication Date: 2018.01.31 UNIV OF ELECTRONICS SCI & TECH OF CHINA
  • EP3238875B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3238875B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3238875B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a synchronous detecting mechanism for the tool posture and tool tip position error of five-axis machine tool, comprising a swing angle measuring device, a spatial displacement measuring device, a rotation angle measuring device, a mounting device and a following-up platform. The swing angle measuring device, the spatial displacement measuring device, the rotation angle measuring device and the following-up platform are all installed on the mounting device. The spatial displacement measuring device is used to measure the tri-axial micro-displacements of tool tip while tool rotation center point of machine tool swings along a given trajectory. The swing angle measuring device and the rotation angle measuring device are respectively used to measure the swing angle and the rotation angle of tool in machine tool. In the invention, the swing angle and the rotation angle of tool on the five-axis CNC machine tool and the tri-axial micro-displacements of tool tip can be measured precisely and synchronously in real time. The invention has positive significance for the detection of high-precision machine tools.