Inline Robotic Scanning and Inspection turns robots into metrology system

By DE Editors

The K-Robot from Metris (Leuven, Belgium; metris.com) is a robot-based laser scanner described as an accurate inspection system that “upgrades any industrial robot or actuator into a flexible, productive, and accurate metrology solution, especially suited for in-production line inspection.”

The K-Robot, which combines the Metris ModelMaker D portable K-Series optical CMM (coordinate measuring machine) and Focus Inspection Automation software suite acts independently from the robot accuracy. This means, says the company, that it is suitable for warm-up drift and backlash, and that it does not need cyclic robot calibration. The K-Robot can inspect directly to the CAD model and does not require external metrology, reference part, or CMM.

The K-Robot probe has 40 infrared LEDs that make it visible for the optical CMM from any direction and simplifies robot path programming.  You program the scanning commands directly in the robot path program, and various interface protocols, such as TCP and OPC, are available so that it integrates with most brands of robot. The industrial robust probe features 100 or 200mm stripe widths, and the K-Robot offers a measurement range from 1.5 to 6m, enabling you to use it to measure small components as well as automobiles.

For more information and additional specifications, visit metris.com.