Reversal spikes (machine error)
Plot
The plot has a short spike which starts on an axis. The size of the spike often varies with the machine feedrate. In this plot reversal spikes are shown on both the X and Y axes.
Diagnostic values
Reversal spikes are quantified in the following format for the X and Y axes:
Reversal Spikes (µm)
X +11.6 +11.6
Y +10.3 +10.3
As shown by the plot, the Y axis has reversal spikes of 10.3 microns in both the positive Y axis and the negative Y axis, and the X axis has reversal spikes of 11.6 microns in both the positive X axis and the negative X axis.
Note: For diagnosis of a 220° data capture arc a reversal spike value is not displayed for the parts of the circle where data has not been captured.
Cause
When an axis is being driven in one direction and then has to reverse and move in the opposite direction, instead of reversing smoothly it may pause momentarily at the turnaround point. In the example plot the Y axis has paused. There are several possible causes of this problem:
An inadequate amount of torque has been applied by the axis drive motor at the axis reversal point causing it to stick momentarily at the reversal point, as the frictional forces change direction.
The servo response time of the machine is inadequate on backlash compensation. This means that the machine is unable to compensate for the backlash in time; causing the axis to stop while the slack caused by the backlash is being taken up.
Servo response at the crossover point is poor, causing a short delay between the axis stopping movement in one direction and starting movement in the other.
Effect
The effect of a reversal spike is that a circular interpolated cutter path will show a small flat followed by an inward recovery step.
The diagram illustrates how the Y axis approaches in a perfect circle but then diverges because the axis has stopped. Plot scaling changes the flat, which is actually machined, into a spike on the Diagnostic Plot as the machine appears to go beyond the perfect circle.
If e is the height of the spike on the Ballbar plot then the length of the flat on the cut part can be calculated as the square root of e multiplied by the diameter of the cut made.
For example, a 10 micron spike will give a 1.7 mm flat on a 300 mm diameter cut.
Action
If your machine has a controller with a spike removal capability use this facility to limit the effects of reversal spikes while using the machine.
Attempt to identify a machine feedrate on the machine at which the effects of reversal spikes are minimised by performing a number of tests at various machine feedrates. Use the best feedrate identified for finishing cuts during circular interpolation.