Backlash – positive (machine error)
Plot
The plot has an outward step or steps which start on an axis. The size of a step is usually unaffected by the machine feedrate. In this plot, positive backlash is shown in the Y axis only.
Diagnostic values
Backlash is quantified in the following format for the X and Y axes:
Backlash (µm)
X +0.6 +0.5
Y +14.2 +14.2
In this case, as illustrated by the plot, the Y axis has positive backlash or lost motion of 14.2 microns in both the positive Y axis and the negative Y axis. This is positive backlash, as opposed to any other type of backlash, as the values given are positive values. (Refer also to Backlash, negative and Backlash, unequal topics.)
For a 220° diagnosis a backlash value is not displayed for the arc where data has not been captured.
Cause
There may be play in the drive system of the machine. This is typically caused by ballscrew endfloat or a worn drive nut.
There may be play in the guideways of the machine causing a dwell in motion when the direction in which the machine is being driven changes.
There may be ballscrew wind-up caused by excessive strain on the ballscrew, refer to Backlash-unequal for further details.
Effect
The effect of positive backlash on a machine is that a circular interpolated cutter path will show a short flat.
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 Backlash step on the Diagnostic plot as the machine appears to go beyond the perfect circle.
If e is the height of the backlash step on the Diagnostic 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 backlash step will give a 1.7 mm flat on a 300 mm diameter cut.
Action
Remove all play in the drive system and guideways of the machine. This may involve replacing worn machine components.
Alternatively, use controller backlash compensation to compensate for the backlash present in the machine.