A study of pre-compensation for thermal errors of NC machine tools

Thermally-induced errors are major contributors to the overall accuracy of machine tools. In this paper, an error pre-compensation system is developed to correct the thermal errors of the spindle and lead screws. A simple gauge 1-D ball array is used to accelerate and simplify the error measurement. An auto-regressive model based on spindle rotation speed is then developed to describe the thermal errors. Using the model, the thermal errors can be predicted without measuring the temperature field of the machine tool as soon as the workpiece NC machining program is made. By correcting the program, the errors can be pre-compensated before machining. Thus the process of compensation is greatly simplified and the cost is reduced. The test results on a vertical machining center show that a 70% reduction of thermal errors has been gained after compensation. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.