In the field of precision machining, accuracy and precision are two extremely critical but often confused concepts. So, what is the difference between them?
First, let's understand precision. Precision mainly describes the closeness between multiple measurement results or the dispersion of the parts after machining and the standard value. In precision machining, high precision means good repeatability. For example, a batch of shaft parts are machined using high-precision CNC machining equipment from Airy Precision Machinery. If the measurement results of their diameter dimensions are very close and the deviation is very small, this reflects the high precision of the machining. Taking the machining of watch parts as an example, the data fluctuation range of the tooth thickness of each pinion after machining is very small, which can be guaranteed to be within a very small tolerance band, so that the meshing between the gears during assembly and operation of the watch is accurate and stable. This is the intuitive embodiment of precision in precision machining. It reflects the stability and consistency of the control of parameters such as size and shape during the machining process.
Accuracy focuses on the closeness of the measured value or machining result to the true value. If the design size of a precision mold requires a cavity depth of 10.00mm, and after processing, the depth is measured to be 10.05mm, then this 0.05mm deviation reflects the accuracy of the processing. In the precision parts processing in the aerospace field, such as the contour design of the engine blade, the degree of conformity of the processed blade with this ideal shape is the embodiment of accuracy. If there is a large deviation between the contour of the processed blade and the ideal contour of the design, even if the size difference between the batch of blades is small (high precision), the performance of the engine will be affected due to the large deviation from the true value.
In the actual precision processing process, different situations may occur. One is high precision but low accuracy. For example, due to the systematic deviation of the positioning system of the machine tool, the size of the processed parts is larger than the design size by the same amount. Although the size consistency between the parts is very good (high precision), they are not accurate as a whole. The other is high accuracy but low precision. For example, the environmental factors during the processing are unstable, such as temperature fluctuations, which cause large fluctuations in the size of the parts during each processing, but on average they are close to the true value. This is acceptable accuracy but insufficient precision.
Airui Precision Machinery has rich experience and excellent technical means in dealing with the relationship between accuracy and precision. Before processing, Airui Precision Machinery will use high-precision calibration instruments to calibrate the machine tool to eliminate systematic errors as much as possible and improve accuracy. During the processing, advanced CNC systems and high-precision sensors are used to monitor the processing parameters and the actual processing status of parts in real time to ensure the stability of processing accuracy. For example, when processing high-precision optical lenses, Airui Precision Machinery uses laser interferometers to accurately calibrate the motion axis of the machine tool to ensure the accuracy of processing; at the same time, by optimizing the processing technology and controlling the cutting parameters, the curvature radius, thickness and other parameters of the lens fluctuate very little during the processing process, ensuring the processing accuracy. In addition, Airui Precision Machinery also pays attention to the professional training of employees, improves the understanding and control ability of operators on the concepts of accuracy and precision, and ensures the high quality of processing from the perspective of personnel quality.
In precision processing, accuracy and precision are two important indicators that complement each other and differ from each other. Only by deeply understanding the differences between them and exercising comprehensive control through technical means, equipment support, personnel management and other aspects during the processing, can we, like Airy Precision Machinery, produce high-quality products that are both accurate and precise, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of high-end manufacturing for precision parts, and promote the continuous development of the precision machining industry.
