OptoBot

Robot based measurements

Modern and highly precise robot systems are a main component for successfully implemented process automation projects. The sensor’s lack of sensitivity allows finely machined surfaces to be measured in the submicrometer range using a robot arm. This is mounted directly on the mounting plate and all six axes can be used. With this unique combination, large parts, sometimes even with complex geometries, are measurable.

The measurement program is defined and saved in the OptoSurf software, which connects to a robot software interface. To start a measurement, a trigger signal is used.

Modern robot systems – well equipped for many applications

A great connection

Robots and scattered light sensors

  • Roughness measurements are not influenced by robot-emitted oscillations
  • Flexibly programmable
  • Can be used either as a separate robot cell or in the production line
  • Automation interface (Beckhoff TwinCat, Profibus/-net)
  • Excellent measurement reproducibility
  • Depending on the application, either single spot or whole surface scans for 100 % testing are possible

Automated process control

To evaluate production processes on the basis of measurement data, a scattered light sensor can be used for quality and process control in combination with a robot arm. Within seconds the robot arm can access and analyse particularly relevant points of parts like artificial joints, crankshaft bearings, IC lead frames, or painted surfaces. By measuring several points on a part, statistical conclusions can be drawn about the surface quality. When performing 50 repeated spot measurements on an artificial knee joint, OptoSurf was able to prove a reproducibility of s = 0.0078.

Surface scans with a robot

Even whole surfaces can be measured using a robot. This is realized with linear movements and an offset that is programmable depending on the required degree of detail. The software SW 3D merges the data and displays it as a map. This 3D map representation helps conclusions to be drawn about process homogeneity or visual gloss effects, for example.