Stepped Reference Body for 3-Axis Machine Tool Error Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3-axis machine tools suffer from significant geometric inaccuracies due to overlapping deviations in linear and rotational axes, leading to undesirable impacts on working accuracy, which existing measuring methods and tools are inefficient in addressing.

Innovation Solution

A measuring body with a square base plate and protruding triangular walls, featuring rows of holes and reference surfaces, is used to determine geometric deviations, allowing for precise compensation of linear and perpendicularity errors, and a control unit adjusts the machine tool's geometry based on target-actual comparisons.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional measuring methods are used to check geometric deviations of 3-axis machine tools, then measurement accuracy can be achieved, but the measurement process is time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeometric deviation measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring body is pre-manufactured with precisely defined geometric features (holes, edges, surfaces) whose positions and dimensions are known in advance. This preliminary preparation of reference features enables rapid measurement without requiring complex setup or calculation procedures during the actual measurement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring body creates a simplified geometric model or copy of the machine tool's working space with defined reference features. Instead of measuring the complex machine tool structure directly, the measurement is transferred to this simplified replica, reducing measurement complexity and time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Manufacturing precision

If comprehensive geometric error compensation is implemented for all 21 possible deviations, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece geometric accuracyVSAvoiderror compensation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The 21 geometric deviations are segmented into two categories: linear deviations (18 errors from three linear axes) and perpendicularity deviations (3 errors between axes). The measuring body is designed to measure these separately, allowing systematic compensation of each category independently, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive error correction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring body extends measurement into the third dimension (Z-direction) with stepped features at different heights. This dimensional extension allows simultaneous measurement of multiple geometric parameters (linear deviations in X-Y plane and perpendicularity deviations involving Z-axis) in a single setup, reducing complexity compared to separate measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If a rigid body model with 21 geometric error parameters is used, then measurement completeness is achieved, but the measuring body structure becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement completenessVSAvoidmeasuring body structural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring body is designed as a universal artifact that can measure multiple types of geometric deviations (linear and perpendicularity errors) simultaneously using a single structure. The combination of holes, edges, and stepped surfaces enables the same measuring body to be used for comprehensive error measurement without requiring multiple specialized fixtures, thereby reducing complexity and cost.

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

4Productivity

If rapid error compensation is implemented, then productivity is improved, but measurement and correction accuracy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror compensation speedVSAvoidgeometric deviation correction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring body's reference features (hole positions, edge locations, surface heights) are pre-calculated and stored as target values. During measurement, the control unit simply compares actual measured values against these pre-stored targets and applies predetermined correction values, enabling rapid compensation without complex real-time calculations that would slow down the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4244577B1Measuring body for verifying geometrical deviations of a 3-axis machine tool, 3-axis machine tool, and method for compensating geometrical deviations of a 3-axis machine tool
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 RODERS GMBH
  • EP4244577B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4244577B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4244577B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring body for verifying geometrical deviations in a 3-axis machine tool (1), comprising a base plate (20), a first wall (21) which is arranged on the base plate (20) and projects perpendicularly from the base plate (20), a second wall (22) which is arranged on the base plate (20) and projects perpendicularly from the base plate (20), wherein a first row of holes (23) and a second row of holes (24) are formed in the base plate (20), wherein the first wall (21) has, at an upper, exposed region, a stepped region (25) with a plurality of steps (25a), and wherein the second wall (22) has, at an upper exposed region, a stepped region (25) with a plurality of steps (25a). The invention further relates to a 3-axis machine tool having a measuring body of this kind and to a method for verifying and compensating geometrical deviations of the 3-axis machine tool.