Spatial force measurement using a rigid hexapod-based end-effector with structure-integrated force sensors in a hexapod machine tool

Abstract In machine tools, in-process force measurement is required by many manufacturing applications, where a particular demand for spatial measurements in up to 6 degrees of freedom (DoF) is growing. Beside expensive commercial 6 DoF force/torque sensors or vague drive current evaluation, sensor integration as part of machine components or joints has been discussed for a long time. The approach presented here, integrates 6 cost-efficient commercial 1 DoF force sensors in hexapod structures and kinematics, that are particularly suitable for sensor integration due to the absence of friction, the presence of mainly longitudinal forces and the availability of 6 DoF. These sensors can be placed at different positions, whereby this article focuses on a rigid hexapod-based end-effector. As the end-effector is not an independent measuring system, but part of a machine, that moves dynamically through the workspace and carries workpieces or tools, a suitable measurement model is necessary that addresses all those influences. After a brief literature overview and introduction to the approach, this work presents the dynamic measurement model including sensor and quasi-static error parameters, aspects about optimal framework design and several steps of validation and evaluation of the new measuring system. These include application of static loads, workspace analysis, dynamic transfer behaviour, rigid body dynamics compensation and, finally, process force measurement during a milling process.