ZEISS Research & Quality Solutions has introduced ZEISS TALOS, a metrology robot intended for automated, high-volume inspection. The company says the system combines metrology-grade accuracy with robotic kinematics, delivering measurement uncertainty below 100 micrometers over a reach of 3.30 meters. It is designed to position its sensor precisely and repeatably without external tracking systems or reference markers.
According to ZEISS, that capability is intended for reliable measurement of medium-sized and large components, including areas that conventional line-of-sight measurement systems have difficulty reaching. A newly developed optical sensor is designed to support full-field geometry acquisition and precise feature measurement within a single automated workflow.
Integrated robot, sensor and safety package
The offering pairs the ZEISS TALOS MR metrology robot with the compact blue-light ZEISS TALOS AX sensor as an integrated measurement unit. ZEISS says the unit is complemented by the metrology-grade ZEISS TALOS RT rotation table and the ZEISS TALOS Safeguard safety concept.
Dr. Jan Thesing, head of ZEISS's Business Unit 3D Optical Systems, described the launch as a shift in automated metrology. In remarks provided by the company, he said TALOS integrates metrological capabilities directly into the system while retaining the speed, range and flexibility of robotic kinematics.
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 uses two 24-megapixel cameras and captures images at 100 Hz, or up to 200 Hz in a fast-scan mode. It has a 500 mm wide measurement volume and four multidirectional feature flashes. According to the company, these allow the system to measure large surfaces for geometry analysis and digital twins as well as features such as holes, edges, bolts and threads.
Prepared for production use
ZEISS says the robot and system concept are designed to withstand typical environmental influences such as temperature variations, vibration and dust. Measurement tasks can be prepared offline based on the CAD model, while ZEISS INSPECT automatically calculates the required measurement positions and robot paths. The company says this significantly reduces 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. With ZEISS INSPECT, users can perform complete analyses, generate comprehensive reports and integrate measurement results into existing processes, according to ZEISS.
Target applications
ZEISS TALOS is designed for automotive, aerospace and commercial vehicle manufacturing applications, both near production and in dedicated measurement rooms. The applications cited include car bodies, hang-on parts, giga-casting parts, aerostructures, jet engines, truck cabins and weld seams.
High-resolution measurement data is intended to support 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.
The launch adds a robot-based format to ZEISS's metrology portfolio for production environments, with the company positioning accuracy, reach and automation as central considerations.