Author(s)

J.P. Allen, S.R. Postlethwaite and D.G. Ford

Abstract

Thermal distortion of machine tool structures is widely recognised as a significant cause of component inaccuracy within modern CNC machining. It is difficult to develop a practical single compensation strategy which can deal with the different aspects of machine tool thermal behaviour. Systems which attempt to do this are usually complex and time consuming to implement. The approach adopted here is to devise a range of relatively simple error tracking techniques, and a formalised philosophy for determining which technique is appropriate in each cas

Keywords