Stiffness effects on repeatability of positioning of linear axes

This paper studies the effect of stiffness (including slider stiffness and bearing stiffness) on the repeatability of the positioning of linear axes. First, a mathematical model between stiffness and the repeatability of the positioning of linear axes is established. The effects of the stiffness of the slider and bearing on the repeatability of positioning are analysed. The theoretical results show that the repeatability of the positioning decreases as the slider component stiffness and bearing stiffness increases. Second, a finite element analysis is implemented to calculate the effect of slider stiffness on the repeatability of positioning, the simulation results are found to be consistent with the theoretical results. Finally, the effect of bearing stiffness on the repeatability of positioning is experimentally investigated. The experimental and theoretical analysis results have been observed to coincide. Thus, the accuracy of the theoretical analysis is verified by both simulation and experimental results. The derived results afford designers and engineers a scientific basis for the stiffness design theory.