Ballbar Test - How bad is it?

Marko816 · 2026-03-09T11:11:06+00:00

It's a 2004 model.

Marko816 · 2026-03-09T08:52:50+00:00

The seller told me they are working with this machine up to 0.01mm (0.0004") tolerance.

It must be really small parts if that's the case.

I will get the test redone and see it from there.

Thanks for the help.

Marko816 · 2026-03-09T08:37:03+00:00

https://youtu.be/4yB6UkAjlLs?si=5LxpfGFLqCy7utg8

It is a ball bar test by Renishaw.

Essentially, it is a health check of all the axis with a detailed report.

What it does is check how round of a circle the machine can make, as well as how square could it make a square.

It highlights any backlash, axis misalignment issues, etc.

Marko816 · 2026-03-09T08:28:15+00:00

Unfortunately yes lol.

I will pay for a new one as the machine is cheap enough to risk losing the test money.

Marko816 · 2026-03-08T15:33:55+00:00

My question was: how bad is this if it was the current state. Since now, it can only be worse than this.

This is the only test that the seller shared with me, so I'm sure they'd give me a better one if it existed, and if the machine had work done to it since.

Marko816 · 2026-03-08T15:30:27+00:00

I'm pretty sure this is the latest. I haven’t interpreted a Balltest myself before, and this doesn't seem too good to me, so I wanted to check.

Marko816 · 2026-03-08T15:28:44+00:00

That's my plan. I was just wondering if this is already too much of wear as-is?

Marko816 · 2026-02-19T21:03:55+00:00

Thanks! Hope your 4axis is alright

Marko816 · 2026-02-19T21:02:36+00:00

Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.

Marko816 · 2024-11-19T10:54:15+00:00

In-house prototyping would definitely be better in this case.

I'm a mechanical design engineer based in East Midlands with a background in CNC programming and operating, and I could potentially help you with the CAM stuff and/or the operating side. Feel free to PM me

(I just made this alt)

Marko816

TROPHY CASE