A five degrees-of-freedom errors measurement system for rotary axis with reference laser for reference axis alignment

Area of Science:

• Metrology
• Mechanical Engineering
• Optical Measurement Systems

Background:

• Rotary axes are critical components in precision machinery.
• Accurate measurement of geometric errors is essential for performance.
• Existing methods may lack comprehensive error separation capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel five degrees-of-freedom (5-DOF) measurement system.
• To accurately measure geometric errors of a rotary axis.
• To establish a model for separating position-independent and position-dependent errors.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a diode laser for precise alignment of the rotary axis.
• Developed a 5-DOF measurement system.
• Established and experimentally verified a mathematical model for error separation.

Main Results:

• The measurement system demonstrated high accuracy.
• Measurement uncertainty for radial motion was < ±1.6 µm.
• Measurement uncertainty for tilt and angle position was < ±1.7 arc sec and < ±1.3 arc sec, respectively.

Conclusions:

• The proposed 5-DOF system effectively measures rotary axis geometric errors.
• The developed model successfully separates position-dependent and independent errors.
• The system offers high precision and reliability for metrology applications.