Patent ID: 8610393

Claim:
A method for assessing a dynamic performance of a machine tool having a first axis slide that has a first motion axis, comprising: (a) electronically instructing the machine tool configured for machining a workpiece without rotation of the workpiece to drive the first axis slide along the first axis using a first pattern of dynamic excitation commands comprising displacements less than about one-half inch to generate a first machine-tool-response; (b) deriving a first quantification of a measurable merit of machine tool performance from the first machine-tool-response to the first pattern of dynamic excitation commands; (c) electronically instructing the machine tool to drive the first axis slide along the first motion axis using a second pattern of dynamic excitation commands comprising displacements less than about one-half inch, the second pattern being different from the first pattern of dynamic excitation commands to generate a second machine-tool-response; and (d) deriving a second quantification of the measurable merit of machine tool performance from the second machine-tool-response to the second pattern of dynamic excitation commands.