Development of modular machine tool structural monitoring system

Although designed to be structurally stiff, machine tool deformation takes place due to the various sources of errors such as shifting mass, component weight, temperature etc. In order to facilitate research activities and acquire further scientific insight on the deformation process, a computer-based on-line monitoring system has been developed. A variety of sensors can be used to capture data for numerous parameters like temperature, displacement, strain etc.
This paper presents the design and implementation of a LabVIEW based multi-sensor data acquisition program. It was designed in a three layer modular structure. In addition to data acquisition, the program is also capable of data processing, logging and implementing various error reduction techniques using online communication between LabVIEW and the MATLAB run-time engine for computation purpose. These calculated compensation values are then transferred to the machine controller via Ethernet. This paper also describes an example of application of such a system for a 5-axis CNC machine tool.