Accurate Robot Machining

Industrial robots are highly repeatable but not very accurate. However, through a robot calibration process the accuracy of a robot arm can be improved to the point where it is close to its repeatability, usually under the 0.100 mm mark. This is becoming very attractive to small and medium enterprises as robot arms are very affordable and can be used for multiple manufacturing applications, including machining materials such as wood, plastic or marble.

The work accomplished by Neoset Designs Inc demonstrates the capabilities and results that can be obtained using RoboDK’s offline programming and robot calibration combined. Neoset Designs manufactures unique peaces of art for well renowned artists and designers such as Barry X Ball and Elie Tahari. The accuracy of a KUKA KR210 robot and a KUKA KR 120 R2500 was improved to better than 0.200 mm. The calibration was accomplised by taking less than 100 measurements using the Creaform’s Portable CMM. Compared to other adaptive compensation methods, robot calibration does not require a permanent measurement system installed on the cell and can reach an accurate position immediately without any measurement iterations. Furthermore, robot calibration can be provided as a product as well as a service in partnership with Creaform.

• [Efficiency Improvement - Quality Assurance]
  Improved robot accuracy
• [Efficiency Improvement - Quality Assurance]
  Better milling result
• [Efficiency Improvement - R&D]
  Faster design to production

• The accuracy of a KUKA KR210 robot and a KUKA KR 120 R2500 was improved to better than 0.200 mm.