Optical Tool Setting and Control for Precision Lathe

The focus of this research was on the development of a machine vision system to provide automatic tool offset and tool nose radius compensation on a lathe used on the shop floor. To accomplish this work, a T-bed lathe which utilized a PC-based Computer Numerical Control was used. National Instruments Vision Builder for Automated Inspection was utilized to develop the machine vision software. A machine vision based optical tool setter was developed for checking the radius of lathe tools. A collimated blue light source along with a 5X microscope objective were used. Software written in Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 enabled software updates of offsets and tool nose radius. Overall, the system had an average repeatability of 8.2 µm, with an accuracy average of 2.5 µm, providing an opportunity for improved part tolerance