Development of a high-performance laser-guided deep-hole boring tool:: Optimal determination of reference origin for precise guiding

A laser-guided deep-hole boring tool using piezoelectric actuators was developed to prevent hole deviation. To extend the depth of controllable boring further, the following were improved. The tool’s guiding error, caused by misalignment of the corner cube prism and the mirror in the optical head from the spindle axis, was eliminated using an adjustment jig that determined the reference origins of the two position-sensitive detectors (PSDs) precisely. A single-edge counter-boring head is used instead of the double-edge head used up to now. The former was thought to be better in attitude control than the latter. A new boring bar, which was lower in rigidity and better in controllability of tool attitude, was used. Experiments were conducted to examine the performance of the new tool in detail and to determine its practical application, using duralumin (A2017-T4) workpieces with a prebored 108-mm diameter hole. The experiments were performed with a rotating tool–stationary workpiece system. Rotational speed was 270 rpm and feed was 0.125 mm/rev. Tool diameter was 110 mm. As a result, controlled boring becomes possible up to a depth of 700 mm under the stated experimental conditions. 700 mm is the maximum machinable length of the machine tool. The tool can be put to practical use.