Renishaw's AxiSet Check-Up reveals centres of rotation relative to linear axes

Understanding the location of the centres of rotation of the rotary axes relative to a machine's linear axes is key to precision machining. Without accurate data on these 'pivot points', a machine's controller will be unable reliably to control the relative positions of the tool and the component as the rotary axes are moving, leading to inconsistent machining results. With AxiSet Check-Up release 2, errors in pivot points and lathe centre lines defined along the linear axes (as commonly stored in CNCs) are reported individually providing users with recommended correction values for machine optimisation. Depending on the user's preference, errors can be reported in either incremental or absolute modes. There is an additional calculation strategy that can be manually selected to establish the pivot points best suited to users machining either free forms or angled features. Other functionalities in release 2 include the ability to automatically back-up and restore multiple data sets, and compatibility with Microsoft Windows 7 and Office 2010. Renishaw's AxiSet Check-Up provides accurate and repeatable test results using automated probing routines to gather performance data from a reference artefact and includes simple, yet powerful analysis. All tests use existing spindle-mounted Renishaw touch probes, which are fitted as standard on most multi-axis machines, with probing routines generated using machine-specific macro software supplied with AxiSet Check-Up. Set-up is fast and simple, says Renishaw. To perform the test a user quickly locates a supplied calibration sphere within the machine tool's working envelope using a magnetic mount. Using the supplied custom macro software, a touch probe is then programmed to automatically take reference measurements around the sphere. Users are in full control and can define their own test angles to ensure that machines are tested at critical orientations. Measurement results from the AxiSet Check-Up test are output to a PC where a supplied Microsoft Excel spreadsheet presents easily understood analysis of the data and compares machine performance with defined tolerances. Analysis of a machine's capabilities is presented in various formats including a graphical representation of performance that highlights tracking and centring errors, a function that compares two sets of data for the same machine, a simple 'pass' or 'fail' test against the user's pre-defined tolerances, and a history screen that allows comparisons of the performance of rotary axes over time. All spreadsheet analysis can be incorporated into a simple report.