Ballbar QC 20–W

Ballbar is a precision measurement tool that collects axis movement when moving in a circular motion. The Ballbar test will measure any deviation the machine makes from a perfect circle, recording data as the two axes work together. Errors such as Backlash, Squareness, Servo Mismatch, Reversal Spikes, Lateral Play, Squareness and other errors can be determined. Users can be useful in determining what feed rate delivers the best accuracy by running the test at different feed rates. A longer length may be used to increase sensitivity to geometry errors, such as Squareness, while a very small radius may be used to highlight errors such as servo mismatch.

Ballbar is used primarily for preventative, predictive maintenance and for determining problems that are hard to tell by the use of indicators. Plots are usually compared to look for some change in the plot, and hopefully catch the problem early.