Author(s)

J.M. Freeman and D.G. Ford

Abstract

There is currently much interest in non-Cartesian machines in the machine tool industry. The analysis of errors arising from component variations in geometry and temperature is far more complex than in the case of the Cartesian machine. This is because the errors are no longer additive along each axis. This paper describes techniques leading to the development of general software which is capable of analysing the geometric and thermal errors in any structure consisting of measurable struts. This limitation is not so restrictive as it might appear, since solid components can usually be modelled as interconnected struts if large temperature gradients do not produce high stresses within their volume. The software also provides an animated display showing

Keywords