Modal analysis and experimental research into improved centering–leveling devices

•Experimental modal analysis was performed on centering–leveling table.•Model for determination of the dynamic parameters is presented.•Theoretical mode shapes are compared to the experimental results.

Centering–leveling devices are often used together with rotary tables to improve measuring process in various fields of metrology. The most important factor of measurement quality – accuracy – is affected by numerous external and internal factors. To ensure the optimum quality of measurements, several factors have to be well known and thus taken into account in the final measurement to minimize their influence. Analysis of structural dynamics provides data on sensitivity as well as an appropriate method to verify the analytical model. The paper deals with an analysis of structural dynamics of a plain structure centering–leveling device by performing appropriate modal analysis. The experimental setup for vibration monitoring and measurement principle underpinning the work is described in the paper. Measurement results of table dynamics as well as a comparison of theoretical and experimental modal shapes are discussed.