ZEISS Research & Quality Solutions (ZEISS RQS) has introduced ZEISS TALOS, a metrology robot intended for automated, high-volume inspection. The system combines metrology-grade accuracy with robotic kinematics, and ZEISS specifies measurement uncertainty below 100 µm across a reach of 3.30 meters.
According to ZEISS, TALOS positions its sensor precisely and repeatably without external tracking systems or reference markers. That capability is aimed at medium-sized and large components, including areas that conventional line-of-sight measurement systems find difficult to reach.
Robot, sensor, rotation table and safety concept
The offering pairs the ZEISS TALOS MR metrology robot with the compact blue-light ZEISS TALOS AX sensor to form an integrated measurement unit. ZEISS adds the metrology-grade ZEISS TALOS RT rotation table and the ZEISS TALOS Safeguard safety concept to complete the package.
“ZEISS TALOS marks a fundamental shift in the automated metrology category: metrological capabilities are integrated directly into the system, while the speed, range and flexibility of robotic kinematics are retained,” said Dr. Jan Thesing, Head of Business Unit 3D Optical Systems at ZEISS, in a statement issued with the launch.
One sensor for surfaces and features
ZEISS frames the combination of fast surface measurement and precise feature measurement as a longstanding challenge in optical metrology. The TALOS AX sensor carries two 24-megapixel cameras that capture images at 100 Hz, or up to 200 Hz in a fast scan mode. A 500 mm wide measurement volume and four multidirectional feature flashes are intended to let one device handle both large-area geometry acquisition — for geometry analysis and digital twins — and precise features such as holes, edges, bolts and threads.
Designed for production environments
ZEISS says the robot and the overall system concept are built to withstand typical environmental influences, including temperature variation, vibration and dust.
Measurement tasks can be prepared offline from the CAD model, with ZEISS INSPECT automatically calculating the required measurement positions and robot paths. ZEISS states that this reduces the time and effort needed to plan new measurement tasks. One-click programming, efficient robot motion and a streamlined setup are presented as ways to raise throughput and make more efficient use of measurement capacity. With ZEISS INSPECT, users can run complete analyses, generate reports and integrate measurement results into existing processes, according to the company.
Target industries and applications
TALOS is aimed at automotive, aerospace and commercial vehicle manufacturing, both near the production line and in dedicated measurement rooms. ZEISS lists car bodies, hang-on parts, giga-casting parts, aerostructures, jet engines, truck cabins and weld seams among the supported applications.
High-resolution measurement data is intended to allow precise evaluation of component quality and deviations. Virtual tools can be used to assess functional dimensions, gap sizes and flushness, for example in automotive assembly.