A novel geometric error identification methodology for the tilting head of five-axis machine tools based on double ball bar

The paper proposes a novel geometric error identification methodology for the tilting head of five-axis machine tools using double ball bar(DBB).Firstly, based on the motion condition of the tilting head of five-axis machine tools, three measurement patterns in Y direction, X direction and Z direction are proposed respectively. Then, the relative displacement equations of two balls of DBB in three measurement patterns are established respectively on the basis of homogeneous transform matrix (HTM) and multi-body system (MBS) theory. Finally, the geometric error parameters of the tilting head are identified totally. The presented method is universal and provides a reference for the error identification for the tilting head of five-axis machine tools