Automatic calibration and compensation for a CNC machine table and an associated probe
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsJie Gu, John S. Agapiou, Sheri K. Kurgin, Paula J. Deeds
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Abstract
A method for calibrating a CNC machine comprises mounting a gauge to a table of the CNC machine and calibrating a probe to the gauge mounted on the CNC machine. A total deviation of the probe and an actual table center position from a nominal table center position for a coordinate system associated with the CNC machine are determined. A controller operatively connected to the CNC machine and the probe is programmed to compensate for the total deviation.
Claims14
A method for calibrating a CNC machine comprising:
- mounting a spherical gauge to a table of the CNC machine;
- measuring a first plurality of points about a circumference of the spherical gauge with a probe;
- calculating a first center point of the spherical gauge utilizing the first plurality of points measured by the probe;
- rotating the table;
- measuring a second plurality of points about the circumference of the spherical gauge with the probe;
- calculating a second center point of the spherical gauge utilizing the second plurality of points measured by the probe, the second center point being rotated about an actual table center from the first center point;
- determining the coordinates of the actual table center from the first center point and the second center point;
- determining a total deviation of the probe and the actual table center from a nominal table center position within a coordinate system associated with the CNC machine;
- and
- programming a controller operatively connected to the CNC machine and the probe to compensate for the total deviation.
A method of calibrating a probe and CNC machine table center to a coordinate system for a CNC machine comprising:
- measuring a first actual gauge position of a gauge disposed on the machine table on the coordinate system for the CNC machine with the probe;
- rotating the machine table for the CNC machine and measuring a second actual gauge position of the gauge disposed on the machine table;
- calculating the offset in the total deviation of the probe and the actual machine table center to a nominal machine table center using the first and the second actual gauge positions;
- and
- programming a controller for the CNC machine with the calculated total deviation to calibrate the probe and machine table center to the coordinate system for the CNC machine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.