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This example shows rotation-axis calibration of a large machine tool with axis travels measuring 2.5 by 2.3 by 0.8 m³. The LaserTracer-NG, which is mounted on a rotary table with a diameter of 1.2 meters, is positioned stationary in the machine several times.

Oftentimes, when manufacturers produce smaller-sized parts with wide manufacturing tolerances, the overall geometric accuracy of the machine tools won’t prevent those parts from being machined to specification. However, for shops that produce small batches (think one to two parts) of large, precision parts made from expensive materials, a machine’s accuracy within its entire available workzone becomes crucial. The accuracy becomes tough to maintain though, because large parts require cutting in the far corners of the workzone. This is where volumetric compensation—a way of capturing and compensating for possible distortions to a machine’s structure—comes into play.

In this case study, Präwest Präzisionswerkstatten of Germany uses six-axis milling machines with parallel axes to machine dimensionally accurate parts that measure longer than 2 meters while meeting accuracy tolerances of ±0.05 mm (±0.002 inch) in six axes of movement. To do this, the company captures its machine tools’ volumetric deviations with the LaserTracer-NG, a self-tracking laser interferometer from Etalon AG (which has a in Kirkland, Washington) and compensates them through the KinematicsComp software option in Heidenhain Corp.’s machine controls. Using this method, the company can provide dimensionally accurate workpieces without any readjustments. Read the case study to learn how.