Uncertainty analysis of positional deviations of CNC machine tools

The assessment of the measurement uncertainty is an indispensable task in all calibration procedures. By international accord, the evaluation is to be done in accordance with the ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM). To calibrate the positional deviations of computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools, calibration laboratories will usually follow the guidelines in ISO 230-2 International Standard. However, that standard does not address uncertainty. In this paper, we present an uncertainty evaluation scheme that is firmly grounded in the GUM, and can therefore be of use as a guide to develop appropriate uncertainty calculations in this and similar types of calibrations.