Renishaw AxiSet™ Check-Up In-Machine Rotary Axis Alignment Verification System

Overview

The Renishaw AxiSet™ Check-Up is an in-machine metrology system engineered for rapid, automated verification of rotary axis geometric performance on multi-axis CNC machine tools. Unlike conventional laser tracker or ball bar methods requiring external setup and skilled operators, the AxiSet™ Check-Up leverages the machine’s own motion control system and a calibrated reference artifact to quantify deviations in rotary axis centerline alignment—specifically the location and stability of the instantaneous axis of rotation (IAR) relative to the nominal kinematic model. This measurement principle is grounded in kinematic error mapping via synchronized positional feedback from the machine’s encoders and high-resolution displacement sensing of a fixed, precision-mounted artifact. The system is purpose-built for production-floor deployment, enabling routine verification without removing workholding or interrupting scheduled machining operations.

Key Features

• Fully automated in-machine testing sequence executed via CNC macro programs—no external hardware setup or manual intervention required.
• Quantitative assessment of rotary axis centerpoint deviation (X/Y/Z offset), tilt error, and eccentricity across user-specified angular increments (e.g., every 15°, 30°, or custom intervals).
• Real-time graphical visualization of axis trajectory envelopes overlaid with user-defined ISO/ANSI or internal tolerance bands directly within Excel®.
• Time-stamped result archiving with version-controlled comparison against historical baselines to support predictive maintenance planning.
• Native compatibility with major CNC platforms including Fanuc 31i/32i, Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl/828D, Heidenhain TNC 640, and Mitsubishi M800/M700 series.
• Compliance-ready reporting structure supporting GLP/GMP traceability requirements—including operator ID, machine ID, environmental timestamp, and calibration status metadata.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The AxiSet™ Check-Up is designed for use on horizontal and vertical machining centres, five-axis mill-turn machines, and portal-type gantry systems equipped with rotary tables or tilting spindles. It requires no modification to the machine tool’s mechanical structure and operates within standard coolant and chip environments typical of production machining. The system adheres to the test methodology framework defined in ISO 230-4 (contouring performance evaluation) and ISO 10791-6 (rotary axis positioning accuracy testing). While not a certification instrument per se, its output data meets the evidentiary rigor expected for internal quality audits, ISO 9001:2015 clause 7.1.5 (monitoring and measuring resources), and machine tool requalification following maintenance, collision recovery, or relocation.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and analysis are handled through Renishaw’s dedicated AxiSet™ software module, which interfaces directly with the CNC controller via RS232 or Ethernet-based macro execution. All raw encoder position data, artifact displacement readings, and computed error vectors are logged in structured CSV format. The Excel®-based report generator embeds dynamic charts (trajectory plots, radial deviation histograms, angular repeatability scatter plots) with configurable tolerance thresholds. Each report includes full metadata: machine serial number, CNC firmware version, ambient temperature at time of test (if connected to optional thermal sensor), and digital signature fields for QA sign-off. Exported Word® documents preserve formatting integrity for archival, customer submission, or regulatory review—fully compatible with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 electronic record requirements when deployed with validated IT infrastructure.

Applications

• Pre-production validation of new multi-axis machine installations prior to first-article inspection.
• Routine periodic verification (e.g., weekly/monthly) to monitor long-term drift in rotary axis geometry due to thermal cycling or mechanical wear.
• Post-collision diagnostics to isolate axis-specific damage before costly disassembly.
• Verification of geometric compensation parameters after updating CNC look-up tables or applying volumetric error correction models.
• Supporting AS9100 Rev D Clause 8.5.1.2 (validation of special processes) for aerospace component manufacturers using five-axis milling.
• Documenting baseline performance prior to machine relocation or major rebuild projects.

FAQ

Does the AxiSet™ Check-Up require recalibration between tests?
No—its reference artifact is factory-calibrated and traceable to UKAS-accredited standards; recalibration is only required annually or after physical impact.
Can it verify both table-tilt and spindle-tilt configurations?
Yes—the system supports independent characterization of any rotary axis pair (A/C, B/C, or dual-table setups) provided the CNC macro interface is configured per Renishaw’s application note AN-2147.
Is operator training required to interpret results?
Basic interpretation is supported by built-in Excel® report annotations and pass/fail color coding; advanced root-cause analysis benefits from Renishaw-certified Metrology Engineer training (course code AXS-TRN-201).
Does it integrate with MES or CMMS platforms?
Raw CSV outputs and XML metadata schemas are available for API-driven ingestion into common manufacturing execution systems (e.g., Siemens Opcenter, Rockwell FactoryTalk) via Renishaw’s Open Data Interface (ODI) add-on module.