Error Distribution of a 5-Axis Measuring Machine Based on Sensitivity Analysis of Geometric Errors

Geometric errors are inevitably introduced into any multiaxis measuring system, and the geometric error is one of the main factors that seriously affects the measurement accuracy. The present work investigates the error distribution of the prototype of a 5-axis measuring machine based on sensitivity analysis of geometric errors. The measurement error modeling of the 5-axis measuring machine is first established via the homogeneous coordinate transformation, and the Sobol global sensitivity analysis method is then employed to quantify the influence of geometric errors on the measurement result with the sensitivity index. The result shows that most of the angular errors are the crucial geometric errors seriously affecting the measurement result. These errors are supposed to be fully considered in the accuracy design and manufacturing stages. The error levels of the crucial geometric errors were distributed and readjusted according to the sensitivity analysis result. Some practical approaches to distribute and improve the crucial geometric errors have been given in detail. The error distribution method is effective to equalize the influence of the crucial geometric errors on the measurement result as possible. The findings of this study provide significant meanings for the optimal design and accurate manufacturing of the 5-axis measuring machine, and the proposed method can be used to improve the measurement accuracy of the 5-axis measuring machine.