Method and apparatus for determining calibration options in a motion control system

1. A method of determining calibration options in a motion control system using the motion control system comprising the acts of:

a) measuring error in a commanded motion;

b) modeling the error;

c) identifying sources of the error; and

d) predicting a degree to which applying compensation for one of the sources of the error might affect the error;

e) providing a diagnostics interface displaying the sources of error and an indication of the degree to which applying compensation for a respective one of the sources of error might affect the error.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the act of applying compensation for one of the sources of error.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the act of determining an estimate of the compensation that might be applied for one of the sources of the error.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of providing a diagnostics interface further comprises the act of allowing a user of the motion control system to determine an order in which the sources of error are displayed.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of providing a diagnostics interface further comprises the act of allowing a user of the motion control system to determine whether the sources of error are displayed in an order according to one of a ranking based on relative contribution to the error and a categorical-based grouping.

6. A computer readable medium comprising instructions capable of implementing a method of determining calibration options in a motion control system using the motion control system, the method comprising:

a) measuring error in a commanded motion;

b) modeling the error;

c) identifying sources of the error;

d) predicting a degree to which applying compensation for one of the sources of the error might affect the error; and

e) providing a diagnostic interface displaying the sources of error and an indication of the degree to which applying compensation for a respective one of the sources of error might affect the error.

7. A machine tool, comprising:

a) an actuator having an attached mechanical member;

b) a motion command generator adapted to produce motion commands capable of controlling the actuator;

c) a compensator adapted to compensate the motion commands based upon at least one compensation parameter; and

d) a controller in communication with the actuator, the motion command generator, and the compensator, and adapted to:

i) measure error in a commanded motion;

ii) model the error;

iii) identify sources of the error;

iv) predict a degree to which applying compensation for one of the sources of the error might affect the error;

v) providing a diagnostic interface displaying the sources of error and an indication of the decree to which applying compensation for a respective one of the sources of error might affect the error.