ZEISS Research & Quality Solutions (ZEISS RQS) has introduced ZEISS TALOS, a metrology robot built for automated, high-volume inspection. The system combines metrology-grade accuracy with robotic kinematics, and ZEISS states a measurement uncertainty below 100 µm across a reach of 3.30 meters.
According to the company, TALOS positions its sensor precisely and repeatably without external tracking systems or reference markers. That configuration is intended to make reliable measurement possible on medium-sized and large components, including regions that conventional line-of-sight optical systems struggle to reach.
System composition
The offering is described as an integrated measurement unit made up of several elements:
- ZEISS TALOS MR, the metrology robot;
- ZEISS TALOS AX, a compact blue-light sensor;
- ZEISS TALOS RT, a metrology-grade rotation table;
- ZEISS TALOS Safeguard, a safety concept.
A newly developed optical sensor is designed to handle both full-field geometry acquisition and precise feature measurement within a single automated workflow. In a statement, Dr. Jan Thesing, Head of Business Unit 3D Optical Systems at ZEISS, framed the launch as a fundamental shift in the automated metrology category: metrological capabilities are integrated directly into the system while the speed, range and flexibility of robotic kinematics are retained.
One sensor for surfaces and features
ZEISS describes the combination of fast surface measurement with precise feature measurement as a long-standing challenge in optical metrology. The TALOS AX sensor carries two 24-megapixel cameras and captures images at 100 Hz, rising to up to 200 Hz in fast scan mode. A 500 mm wide measurement volume and four multidirectional feature flashes are intended to support both large-area geometry capture, for analysis and digital twins, and measurement of features such as holes, edges, bolts and threads.
Designed for production
The robot and system concept are built to withstand environmental influences typical of manufacturing, including temperature variation, vibration and dust. Measurement tasks can be prepared offline from the CAD model, and ZEISS INSPECT software automatically calculates the required measurement positions and robot paths, which the company says significantly reduces the time and effort needed to plan new tasks. One-click programming, efficient robot motion and a streamlined setup are aimed at raising throughput and making more efficient use of measurement capacity. ZEISS INSPECT also supports complete analysis, report generation and integration of results into existing processes.
Target industries and applications
ZEISS TALOS is aimed at automotive, aerospace and commercial vehicle manufacturing, for use both near production lines and in dedicated measurement rooms. The applications listed range from car bodies, hang-on parts and giga-casting parts to aerostructures, jet engines, truck cabins and weld seams. High-resolution measurement data is intended for evaluating component quality and deviations, and virtual tools can be used to assess functional dimensions, gap sizes and flushness, for example in automotive assembly.