Identification of machine tool squareness errors via inertial measurements

The accuracy of multi-axis machine tools is affected to a large extent by the behavior of the system's axes and their error sources. In this paper, a novel methodology using circular inertial measurements quantifies changes in squareness between two axes of linear motion. Conclusions are reached through direct utilization of measured accelerations without the need for double integration of sensor signals. Results revealed that the new methodology is able to identify squareness values verified with traditional measurement methods. The work supports the integration of sensors into machine tools in order to reach higher levels of measurement automation.