Article From: 1/1/2010 Production Machining
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The QC20-W ballbar features a linear sensor and Bluetooth wireless technology. This provides greater ease of use and enhanced durability, and allows for testing even in closed door manufacturing, where access for wiring can raise safety and procedural issues, the company says. The design also allows testing in three orthogonal planes through a single reference point. A single, simple hardware setup means quicker testing and the ability to produce a representative volumetric measurement of positioning accuracy, according to the company. The ballbar retains the principle of a simple CNC circular program and powerful software. Together, these can quickly diagnose and quantify machine positioning errors including servo mismatch, stick-slip errors, backlash, repeatability, scale mismatch and machine geometry as well as giving an overall circularity error value. Heavily revised system software provides more options and flexibility for testing and reporting.
The company ensures backward compatibility with the QC10 system, minimizing costs and disruption when upgrading or working alongside existing systems. Ballbar lengths are identical, so all existing test routines can be carried over including test templates, CNC programs and work and test procedures. Only minimal training is required when upgrading, focusing on familiarization with the new features. The Ballbar20 software is also compatible with QC10 systems, enabling both old machine records to be reviewed and old test templates to be used.
