Development of a simple laser-based 2D contouring accuracy compensation system for the laser cutting machine

The effect of dynamical contouring error is a critical to the production yield of the laser cutting machine. Dynamical contouring error is defined as the difference between the actual processing path and the commanded path, as implemented by following the command curves of the feeding and driving system associated with the machine tools. Contouring error is the result of various factors, such as the external loads, friction, moment of inertia, feed rate, speed control, and servo control. This study proposes a 2D compensation system to improve the contouring accuracy of the laser cutting machine. An optical method was adopted, in which a stable frequency laser diode and a high precision position sensor detector (PSD) were adopted to perform noncontact measurement. Experimental results demonstrate that the accuracy of the position sensor detector (PSD) in the 2D contouring accuracy compensation system was ±1.5 μm over a calculated range of ±3 mm, representing an improvement accuracy of over 80% at a high feed rate.