Abstract
Machine tool errors have to be characterized and predicted to improve machine tool accuracy. Therefore, it is very important to assess errors in machine tools. Volumetric error analysis has been developed by many researchers. This paper presents a useful technique for analyzing the volumetric errors in machine tools using the ball bar. The volumetric error model is proposed in specific vertical machining center and the program is developed for generating NC code, acquiring the ball bar data, and analyzing the volumetric errors. The developed system assesses the volumetric errors such as positional, straightness, squareness, and back lash. Also this system analyzes the dynamic performance such as servo gain mismatch. The radial data acquired by ball bar on 3D space is used for analyzing these errors. It is convenient to test the volumetric errors on 3D space because all errors are calculated at once. The developed system has been tested using an actual vertical machining center.