We propose the measurement method for location errors in a horizontal 4-axis machine tool using a touch trigger probe and a sphere artifact. Location errors (type of geometric errors), are values that do not change with the position of each feed axis because these errors are usually fixed in an assembly procedure. There are seven location errors in a horizontal 4-axis machine tool; three squareness errors in three linear axes and two squareness and two offset errors in a rotary axis. The positions of center point of sphere artifact on a rotary axis are measured by a touch trigger probe mounted on a tool axis. Because measured center points are expressed by seven location errors via the homogeneous transformation matrix, location errors can be separated by analyzing measured data. To validate the proposed method, measurement experiments were performed on a horizontal 4-axis machine tool. Measurement results were verified by comparing before and after compensation.

Ballscrews are important motion transfer and positioning units of industrial machinery and precision machines. Positioning accuracy of the feed drive system depends upon axial stiffness of ballscrew systems. As the nut stiffness depends upon preload and operating conditions, analytical modeling of the stiffness is performed through the contact and body deformation analysis. For accurate contact analysis, the contact angle variation between balls and grooves is incorporated in the developed model. To verify the developed mathematical stiffness model, experiments are conducted on the test-rig. Through the uncertainty analysis according to GUM (Guide to the expression of Uncertainty in Measurement), it is confirmed that the formulated stiffness model has over 85% estimation accuracy. After constructing the ballscrew DB, a quick turnaround system for the nut stiffness estimation has been developed in this research.

Linear motion (LM) ball guides have good accuracy and high efficiency. They are widely applied for precision machinery such as machine tools, semiconductor fabrication machines and robots. However, friction force incurs heat between the balls and grooves. Thermal expansion due to the heat deteriorates stiffness and accuracy of the LM ball guides. For accurate estimation of stiffness and accuracy during the linear motion, friction models of LM ball guides are required. To formulate accurate frictional models of LM ball guides according to load and preload conditions, rolling and viscous frictional analyses have been performed in this paper. Contact loads between balls and grooves are derived from Hertzian contact analysis. Contact angle variation is incorporated for the precision modeling. Viscous friction model is formulated from the shear stress of lubricant and the contact area between balls and grooves. Experiments confirm validity of the developed friction model for various external load and feedrate conditions.