Influence and error transfer in assembly process of geometric errors of a translational axis on volumetric error in machine tools

The geometric errors of a translational axis are important factors influencing the volumetric error of machine tools. Error relationship in the assembly process of a translational axis quantitatively remains an open problem. In the paper, the slide guideway, forming the translational axis, has been decomposed into three key parts as the base, slider and carriage. New error transfer relationship model has been proposed in the assembly process. Volumetric error model of the horizontal machine tool is established and influence of the assembly error parameter on the volumetric error is analyzed with the two error models. Measurement experiments for the slide guideway has been carried out and the error transfer model has been verified. The proposed error transfer relationship model, as well as the error effects analysis method, provides important theoretical guide basis to optimize manufacture and assembly of a translational axis in a scientific and reasonable way.