ZEISS Research & Quality Solutions (ZEISS RQS) has introduced ZEISS TALOS, a metrology robot intended for automated, high-volume inspection. The system combines what ZEISS describes as metrology-grade accuracy with the movement range and flexibility of robotic kinematics. According to the company, it achieves measurement uncertainty below 100 µm over a reach of 3.30 metres.
The robot positions its sensor precisely and repeatably without external tracking systems or reference markers, ZEISS says. That arrangement is intended to allow reliable measurement of medium-sized and large components, including areas that conventional line-of-sight measurement systems struggle to access. A newly developed optical sensor supports full-field geometry acquisition and precise feature measurement within a single automated workflow.
Integrated hardware for automated measurement
The TALOS MR metrology robot and TALOS AX compact blue-light sensor form an integrated measurement unit. ZEISS pairs them with the TALOS RT metrology-grade rotation table and the TALOS Safeguard safety concept.
Dr Jan Thesing, head of the Business Unit 3D Optical Systems at ZEISS, says the system represents a fundamental shift in automated metrology because metrological capabilities are integrated directly into the system while robotic speed, range and flexibility are retained.
One sensor for surfaces and features
ZEISS says combining fast surface measurement with precise feature measurement has long been a challenge in optical metrology. The TALOS AX uses two 24-megapixel cameras and captures images at 100 Hz, or up to 200 Hz with fast scan. It has a 500 mm wide measurement volume and four multidirectional feature flashes. According to ZEISS, it can measure large surfaces for geometry analysis and digital twins as well as features such as holes, edges, bolts and threads.
Production readiness and software
The robot and system concept are designed to withstand temperature variations, vibration and dust, ZEISS says. Measurement tasks can be prepared offline from a CAD model, while ZEISS INSPECT software automatically calculates the required measurement positions and robot paths. ZEISS says this can significantly reduce the time and effort required to plan new measurement tasks. One-click programming, efficient robot motion and streamlined setup are intended to increase throughput and enable more efficient use of measurement capacity.
INSPECT also allows users to perform complete analyses, generate reports and integrate measurement results into existing processes.
Target industries
TALOS is designed for automotive, aerospace and commercial vehicle manufacturing, both near production and in dedicated measurement rooms. Applications include car bodies, hang-on parts, giga-casting parts, aerostructures, jet engines, truck cabins and weld seams. High-resolution data is intended for evaluating component quality and deviations, and virtual tools can assess functional dimensions, gap sizes and flushness, such as in automotive assembly.