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C20-W
The Renishaw QC20-W wireless ballbar is the gold standard for machine tool accuracy calibration and performance diagnostics. At its core are a 10-minute rapid circular path test, 15 automatic error diagnostics, and 3D spatial evaluation, all designed to verify machine tool geometric accuracy, servo performance, and positioning accuracy. It is an essential tool for quality control in precision machining.
Core Applications and Operating Principles
Core Applications: Precision calibration, performance diagnostics, acceptance testing, and preventive maintenance for CNC machine tools. Replaces traditional, cumbersome full-inspection laser interferometry to enable fast, comprehensive, and standardized evaluation.
Operating Principles:
The precision balls at both ends of the ballbar are secured to the magnetic center mount on the worktable and the magnetic ball bowl on the spindle, respectively.
The machine tool performs a 360° full-circle or 220° partial arc motion, while the ballbar’s built-in high-precision linear sensor measures radius changes in real time.
Data is transmitted wirelessly via Bluetooth to a computer. The Ballbar20 software calculates roundness errors according to ISO 230-4/ASME B5.54/GB17421.4 standards and automatically isolates 15 sources of error.
System Components: QC20-W ballbar unit + magnetic ball bowl / center base + extension rods (50/150/300 mm) + Ballbar20 software + calibration standards.
Technical Specifications (QC20-W Standard Edition)
| Parameters | Specifications |
| Sensor Resolution | 0.1 μm |
| Measurement Accuracy | ±(0.7 + 0.3% × L) μm (where L is the test radius) |
| Measurement Range | ±1.0 mm |
| Sensor Travel | -1.25 mm ～ +1.75 mm |
| Sampling Rate | Up to 1000 Hz |
| Test Radius | 100/150/250/300/400 mm (standard + extended rod) |
| Data Transmission | Bluetooth Class 2 (wireless, tested with safety door closed) |
| Power Supply | CR2 lithium battery (approx. 1,800 days standby, approx. 2,150 hours continuous operation) |
| Protection Rating | IP64 (dustproof and splash-proof) |
| Weight | Approx. 0.8 Kg (main unit) |
Core Features and Applications
1. Comprehensive Accuracy Assessment (Completed in 10 Minutes)
Geometric Accuracy: Straightness, perpendicularity, parallelism, squareness, pitch/yaw/roll errors.
Servo Performance: Servo mismatch, crawling, backlash, proportional mismatch, tracking error.
Positioning Accuracy: Repeatability, positioning error, verification of pitch compensation validity.
Spatial Assessment: A single center setup completes testing on the XY, YZ, and ZX planes, generating a spatial error cloud map.
2. 15-Item Automatic Error Diagnosis (Core Value)
The software automatically identifies and quantifies the following errors, ranks them by impact, and provides direct guidance for repairs:
● Backlash
● Servo Gain Mismatch
● Stick-slip
● Squareness
● Straightness
● Scale Mismatch
● Angular Errors
● Thermal Drift
3. Efficient Testing Modes
360° Full-Circle Test: Comprehensive standard evaluation.
220° Partial Arc Test: Suitable for short-sTroke axes (e.g., Z-Axis); no custom fixtures required; measures three planes with a single centering.
Bidirectional Test: Measures once in clockwise and once in counterclockwise directions to eliminate the influence of unidirectional errors.
Typical Application Scenarios
New Machine Acceptance: Generate accuracy reports in accordance with international standards to ensure factory-calibrated precision.
Periodic Calibration: Quarterly/annual preventive maintenance to establish accuracy records and track degradation trends.
Fault Diagnosis: When machined dimensions exceed tolerances, quickly identify whether the issue lies with geometry, servo systems, or cutting tools.
Pitch Compensation Verification: Retest after compensation to confirm its effectiveness.
5-Axis / Turn-Mill Combination: Evaluate the interpolation accuracy between rotary and linear axes.
Core Advantages
Wireless Convenience: Bluetooth transmission eliminates cable constraints, allowing testing with the protective door closed for safe and efficient operation.
Rapid Diagnosis: Complete a full machine assessment in 10 minutes, minimizing downtime.
High Precision: 0.1 μm resolution meets the requirements of precision machining (IT5–IT7).
3D Space: Measure three planes with a single setup; visualize spatial errors.
Standard Compliance: Complies with ISO/ASME/GB international standards; reports can be used for quality certification.
Powerful Software: Ballbar20 automatically diagnoses, generates reports, compares historical data, and performs trend analysis.
Durable and Reliable: IP64 protection, industrial-grade design, suitable for shop floor environments.
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