An AMC controller fitted with Error Compensation Mapping can compensate for inaccurate mechanics on a variety of production machines

A significant proportion of the costs of a precise, high-accuracy machine, are found in the high standard and quality of the components that have to be used in the build and the expertise required during the build. If low-cost components are used, generally accuracy will be sacrificed unless there is some way to correct the inaccuracies.

This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 12 April 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories

Machine controller boosts productivity
All the users of the AMC E machine controller are reporting back increased productivity; examples quoted are between 20 to 50% and in one 3D application as much as 300% improvement

Embedded database joins the mainstream
New feature greatly expands eXtremeDB's ability to share data with systems ranging from mainframes to servers to desktop applications

Error Compensation Mapping, ECM, compensates for and corrects mechanical errors and is a cost effective solution to this perennial problem.

An AMC controller fitted with Error Compensation Mapping can compensate for inaccurate mechanics on a variety of production machines.

This gives OEMs and system builders, cost savings, both in the components used and in labour intensive, lengthy, mechanical setting up procedures.
Further reading

Flash software flies on latest Windows CE
Datalight Reliance and FlashFX Pro can more than double performance on CE 6.0 when implemented together

RTOS expands Freescale processor support
RTOS now supports Freescale i.MX27 multimedia applications processor, featuring an H.264 hardware codec for D1 high resolution video processing

ECM software has been created to easily, rapidly and accurately produce a map of errors that exist between the machine motors and tool head.

The map is then used by the North East Electronics AMC range of motion control systems, to compensate for repeatable and predictable axis inaccuracies during the production of components, providing a more precise machine, effectively eliminating part size errors.

During the mapping process the ECM software communicates with the NEE AMC controller, commanding machine movement and gathering information from both the motor encoder and an additional accurate linear encoder or laser measuring system.

This is temporarily fitted to the machine tool head and provides accurate positions to the controller permitting generation of the axis error compensation map.

Once generated, axis ECM data can be viewed in text and graphical format, of error against machine position, for confirmation and analysis.

After ECM data have been generated for each axis they are permanently flashed into the AMC controller where they are used to continually correct machine positions.

The ECM data can be archived, so the mechanical performance can be analysed during the life of the machine.

The Microsoft Windows based ECM software uses a 'Wizard', this guides the operator through the few steps required to set up the machine for the mapping sequence.

It is possible to preset the machine accuracy required, the software then repeatedly maps the machine until the pre-set accuracy is achieved.

Additionally the software can check for machine backlash, this can be displayed in a text or a graphical form.

It is also possible to overlay and visually compare two ECM data files.

Current views may be printed.