ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some of the basic concepts in precision system design including definitions, basic principles of metrology and performance, and design concepts for precision engineering. It is concerned with the design and implementation of high precision systems. The chapter discusses the deterministic theory, which has provided guidelines that have yielded the highest precision machine tools ever realized and designed. Under the deterministic approach, errors are divided into two categories: repeatable or systematic errors and apparent nonrepeatable errors. The chapter presents a number of definitions related to precision systems. It describes machine tools and their moving elements as being completely rigid, even though they do have some flexibility. One of the most common errors affecting a machine’s ability to accurately position a linear slide is Abbe error. There are several methods that may be used to reduce the effects of Abbe error.
