ZEISS Research & Quality Solutions has introduced ZEISS TALOS, a metrology robot designed for automated, high-volume inspection. The system combines metrology-grade accuracy with robotic kinematics; ZEISS states that it delivers measurement uncertainty below 100 µm over a reach of 3.30 meters. According to the company, the robot positions its sensor precisely and repeatably without external tracking systems or reference markers, allowing reliable measurement of medium-sized and large components, including areas that are difficult to reach with conventional line-of-sight systems. A newly developed optical sensor is designed to support full-field geometry acquisition and precise feature measurement within a single automated workflow.
The platform pairs the TALOS MR metrology robot with the compact TALOS AX blue-light sensor in an integrated measurement unit. The unit is complemented by the TALOS RT metrology-grade rotation table and the TALOS Safeguard safety concept. The robot, sensor, rotation table and safety concept are presented as one integrated measurement setup. Dr. Jan Thesing, head of the Business Unit 3D Optical Systems at ZEISS, said the system brings metrology functions into the robot platform itself while retaining the speed, reach and flexibility of robotic motion.
Surface and feature measurement in one workflow
Optical metrology has long faced a trade-off between fast surface measurement and precise feature measurement. ZEISS says the TALOS AX addresses this with two 24-megapixel cameras that capture images at 100 Hz, or up to 200 Hz in fast-scan mode. A 500 mm-wide measurement volume and four multidirectional feature flashes allow the sensor to measure large surfaces for geometry analysis and digital twins as well as precise features such as holes, edges, bolts and threads. The design is intended to combine these tasks in a single automated workflow.
Designed for production use
The robot and system concept are intended to withstand temperature variations, vibration and dust, conditions typical of production environments. Measurement tasks can be prepared offline from the CAD model, while ZEISS INSPECT automatically calculates the required measurement positions and robot paths. ZEISS says this reduces the time and effort needed to plan new tasks. One-click programming, efficient robot motion and a streamlined setup are intended to raise throughput and make better use of measurement capacity. With ZEISS INSPECT, users can run complete analyses, generate reports and integrate measurement results into existing processes.
Target applications
ZEISS TALOS is aimed at automotive, aerospace and commercial vehicle manufacturing, both near production lines and in dedicated measurement rooms. The company lists applications including 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.