QC20 ballbar Why you need a QC20 ballbar The QC20 ballbar provides the quickest, most effective health check and diagnosis of machine tool performance. Ballbar tests are widely recognised in international standards and are essential for quality assurance in manufacturing. Build Verify Compensate Diagnose

Process foundation Component quality is dependent on machine performance. Without understanding the errors in a machine it is impossible to have confidence that your components will meet specification. Accurate measurement and setup of machines is the foundation of process control, providing the best performance and stable environment for the process to be performed. Quantifying process capability reduces costs and improves efficiency.

Highly regarded within the industry for machine tool verification Even with the best machinery and operators, machine derived defects can occur and producing bad parts costs you time, money and even customers. Nobody sets out to produce defective parts. Bad tooling, worn spindles or workpiece clamping may cause component dimensional and finish defects, but the major causes of defects can usually be attributed to machine tool positioning errors. The sources of these are geometric, dynamic and play errors within the machine. QC20 ballbar offers a simple method to perform a system performance snapshot...

System overview QC20 ballbar The QC20 ballbar is a highly accurate, telescopic linear sensor with precision balls at both ends. When in use, the balls are kinematically located between precision magnetic cups; one attached to the machine table and the other to the machine spindle, or spindle housing. This enables the ballbar to measure minute variations in the radius, as it rotates around a fixed point. For larger machines, 50, 150 and 300 mm long extension bars can be combined to perform tests up to 1,350 mm radius. For smaller machines, accessories are available to support tests with radial...

apply innovation™ Ballbar testing explainedThree simple stages of QC20 ballbar testingj Set-up The QC20 ballbar is mounted on the machine between two repeatable magnetic joints. A simple software created part programme comprising a series of G02 and G03 programme moves is required to run the test. ^Data capture During the test the Ballbar 20 software displays a real-time plot of the machine’s ability to track a circle. ^Data analysis and diagnosis Ballbar 20 software measures and diagnoses specific machine error characteristics. The data is analysed in accordance with ISO 230-4, ANSI/ ASME B5.54...

360° lathe accessory kit The lathe accessory kit helps to perform 360°, 100 mm radius ballbar tests to diagnose specific errors on a lathe. The kit comprises an arm assembly for the lathe turret and a spindle bar assembly for the lathe spindle. Both parts include magnetic cups to locate the QC20 ballbar. Machine requirements On lathes with restricted axis travel it may be possible to perform a 50 mm radius test using the QC20 small circle accessory kit. It is crucial to ensure that there is clearance for the ballbar to perform the test in this configuration. Ballbar calibrator Manufactured from...

apply innovation™ Small circle accessory kit The small circle accessory kit allows the QC20 ballbar to perform 50 mm radius tests (the standard minimum is 100 mm). This is ideal for testing machines with short-axis travel or to provide enhanced analysis of servo control systems on most types of machines (small circles require higher machine accelerations and decelerations). To support the smallest machines, a 30 mm radius accessory is available on request. VTL adaptor The VTL adaptor enables diagnosis of 2-axis CNC applications, for example, vertical turning lathes, laser cutting machines, and...

apply innovation™ Ballbar 20 softwareCheck and diagnose servo performance errors and path deviations Ballbar 20 software is a powerful and easy-to-use tool for commissioning and testing throughout the life of your machine tool. The software captures and automatically analyses QC20 ballbar data to the latest standards (ISO 230-4 and ANSI B5.54). Ballbar 20 provides flexibility for comprehensive tests to be run as a ‘one-off’ or using customer-defined test templates. The captured data is displayed as a graphical trace and each diagnosed error is ranked according to its impact on the overall machine...

Ballbar Trace software Flexible software for time-based data capture Ballbar Trace software can be used with the QC20 ballbar to capture timebased data and test the kinematic accuracy of 4-axis and 5-axis machines that have three linear and one or two rotary axes. Real-time data is captured by Ballbar Trace, satisfying the ISO 10791-6 reporting standard with maximum to minimum deviation. QC20 ballbar for ISO 10791-6 standard testing

Everyone benefits The QC20 ballbar provides quick machine performance verification, benefiting many job functions. Production Know the machine’s full potential. Choose the right machine for each job to achieve manufacturing tolerances and reduce scrap, rework and time-consuming set up and inspection processes. Purchasing Demonstrate machine performance upon commissioning with confidence. Quality Test reports provide proof of performance to international standards, satisfying audit requirements. They are also a powerful tool when bidding for contracts. Maintenance Implement predictive maintenance...

The QC20 ballbar can detect multiple kinematic errors in a machine tool within 10 minutes. This helps us to quickly identify the reasons for substandard machining quality, making it easier to trace and resolve associated problems. Guangdong Jinke Machine Tool Co. Ltd (China) QC20 ballbar identifies problems quickly with no need to strip down the machine just to see if something is wrong. BOST Machine Tools (Spain)

apply innovation™ QC20 ballbar specification QC20 ballbar * Valid 15 °C to 25 °C L = length over which error is measured Specification if measuring 10 pm error on machine ±0.73 pm; specification if measuring 100 pm error on machine ±1.00 pm. ** Small circle accessory kit required for 50 mm test. Maximum calibrated radius 300 mm; maximum radius with standard kit 600 mm, up to 1,350 mm with additional extensions. Renishaw’s QC20 ballbars are supplied with a detailed calibration certificate; your guarantee of accuracy. Machine shops are harsh environments and accidents can affect the ballbar’s performance....