An approach to error elimination for multi-axis CNC machining and robot manipulation

The geometrical accuracy of a machined feature on a workpiece during machining processes is mainly affected by the kinematic chain errors of multi-axis CNC ma- chines and robots, locating precision of fixtures, and datum errors on the work- piece. It is necessary to find a way to minimize the feature errors on the workpiece. In this paper, the kinematic chain errors are transformed into the displacements of the workpiece. The relationship between the kinematic chain errors and the dis- placements of the position and orientation of the workpiece is developed. A map- ping model between the displacements of workpieces and the datum errors, and adjustments of fixtures is established. The suitable sets of unit basis twists for each of the commonly encountered types of feature and the corresponding locating di- rections are analyzed, and an error elimination (EE) method of the machined feature is formulated. A case study is given to verify the EE method.