Research and developments

Abstract

A small, noncontact, optical sensor capable of detecting its own position relative to any mechanical part on a workpiece, in all six degrees of freedom, was developed. The sensor can be mounted on the tool head of a multiaxis robot end effector to track reflective reference points attached to the part. The robot can be programmed to follow a path of references mounted on the part. This sensor can eliminate the need for training the robot and enables process changes without halting production because software can be downloaded quickly into the robot's controller.