Introduction to ARTEMIS™ Robot Accuracy Solution

Developed by ATT Metrology Solutions, the ARTEMIS™ System revolutionizes dynamic machine path accuracy, offering a unique metrology system that enhances real-time machine performance.

Unlike traditional systems focusing on static accuracy, ARTEMIS™ integrates metrology feedback with sensor fusion. These capabilities enhance the function and programming of industrial robots, CNC machines, and drones, resulting in unprecedented accuracy, efficiency, and application versatility, setting a new standard for industrial automation.

Overview of ARTEMIS™ System and Its Features

The ATT Real-Time Enhanced Metrology Integrated System offers a high-accuracy machine positioning system of the entire path as the machine moves. The commanded vs. actual machine position is compared in real-time using a Global Metrology Platform and then used to provide Enhanced Machine Path Control.

The ARTEMIS™ system represents a significant advancement in metrology integration and real-time correction capabilities within the manufacturing industry. It offers the following benefits:

  • Global Metrology Platform: ARTEMIS™ utilizes Inertial Dimensional Metrology™ combined with other sensors to generate a 7DoF (Degrees of Freedom) position and orientation data stream for every object of interest within a manufacturing cell. This comprehensive view allows for precise control and enhancement of the manufacturing, assembly, or inspection process, supported by several patents for its innovative approach.
  • Real-Time Dynamic Machine Path Correction: The system compares the commanded versus actual machine positions in real time, employing a sophisticated algorithm to adjust the machine’s path while in motion. This feature is pivotal for operations requiring high tolerance, ensuring the accuracy of industrial robots, CNC machinesEngineer calibrating ARTEMIS, AGVs, and drones throughout their operational path.
  • Move-Measure-Correct Static Machine Motion Correction: Beyond dynamic corrections, ARTEMIS™ also offers static correction capabilities. Measuring and adjusting the machine’s position when static ensures foundational accuracy before dynamic operations commence, enhancing the overall precision in static and dynamic modes.
  • Machine Calibration: ARTEMIS™ significantly improves machine calibration, leveraging the data collected from its Global Metrology Platform. This involves sophisticated modeling of both forward and inverse kinematic parameters, ensuring that machines operate within their highest potential accuracy parameters.
  • Enhanced Control for Robotics: ARTEMIS™ is capable of dramatically improving robot path following and move-measure-correct capabilities in both dynamic and static modes. This enhancement applies to various robot brands, including Kuka, Fanuc, and ABB, indicating the system’s versatility and wide-ranging applicability in robotics.
  • Metrology-Enhanced Manufacturing Robot Calibration: The system employs metrology equipment and artificial intelligence for continuous robot absolute accuracy calibration while the robot is in operation. This feature achieves an unparalleled accuracy of 0.004” (0.1mm) with OEM robots, showcasing ARTEMIS™’s cutting-edge approach to maintaining and enhancing robotic accuracy over time.
  • Observation of Manufacturing Cell Objects: ARTEMIS™ can observe all objects of interest within a manufacturing cell. This holistic surveillance enables the system to optimize the accuracy and precision of the entire manufacturing, assembly, or inspection process by making informed corrections based on comprehensive environmental data.

Benefits of ARTEMIS™ in Robotic Applications

Leveraging advanced metrology and sensor fusion technologies, ARTEMIS™ provides dynamic machine path correction, ensuring high levels of precision, speed, reliability, and adaptability in various manufacturing processes to enhance the performance of robotic applications:

 

Precision Speed
ARTEMIS™  significantly elevates the precision of robotic operations. Integrating advanced metrology sensors and real-time data analysis ensures that robots can execute tasks with exceptional accuracy. This is particularly critical in applications requiring fine detail or working within tight tolerances, such as in the aerospace or automotive industries.  The system’s real-time path correction eliminates the need for frequent stops and recalibrations, allowing robots to maintain continuous operation. Its integration into robotic systems like drilling, filling, and welding applications showcases its capacity to maintain operational speed without compromising on accuracy.
Reliability Adaptability
ARTEMIS™ ‘s reliability is underscored by its continuous performance and the ability to maintain accuracy over time. The system’s dynamic correction capabilities ensure that robots operate consistently, even under varying conditions or in long-duration tasks.  The adaptability of ARTEMIS™  is evident in its wide range of applications, from milling and painting to 3D printing and automated fiber placement. Its technology is compatible with a variety of robotic platforms, allowing for seamless integration into existing systems. 

 

Industrial Robot Software

In the context of industrial robot programming, ARTEMIS™ enhances the capabilities of robotic systems by providing sophisticated path correction and calibration features. This software integration enables robots to perform more accurately and efficiently, extending their applicability to more complex and high-precision tasks. 

Commercial Dynamic Robot Accuracy Software

As a leading example of a commercial dynamic robot accuracy solution, ARTEMIS™ stands out for its innovative approach to enhancing robot performance. The system leverages real-time data and advanced calibration methods to improve the operational effectiveness of robots. 

What Problems Can Higher Accuracy Machines Solve?

Ensuring Product Quality Compliance

The precise control and real-time adjustments offered by ARTEMIS™ ensure that products meet stringent quality standards. For applications requiring high tolerances, the system’s ability to correct path deviations on the fly reduces the risk of defects, ensuring that each component is produced accurately according to specifications.

Minimizing Material Waste and Rework

With the advanced calibration and path correction capabilities of ARTEMIS™, machines operate with reduced errors, significantly cutting down on material waste and the need for rework. This saves materials and costs and speeds up production cycles by getting products right the first time.

Enhancing Product Throughput

The real-time dynamic machine path correction feature of ARTEMIS™ minimizes downtime associated with recalibrations or adjustments, allowing for continuous operation. This increases overall operational efficiency, as machines can maintain high-speed operations without sacrificing accuracy, leading to faster turnaround times for manufacturing projects.

Overcoming Manufacturing Complexities

ARTEMIS™’s adaptability enables machines to handle complex manufacturing tasks that were previously challenging or impossible. This includes operations requiring precise coordination between multiple machines or the execution of intricate patterns and shapes, expanding product design and manufacturing possibilities.

Achieving Cost-Efficiency in Manufacturing

All of the other benefits of ARTEMIS™ translate to significant cost savings. Industrial robot companies can achieve higher throughput with lower material and labor costs, improving the bottom line.

Securing Marketing Leadership

Companies looking for solutions on how to improve the accuracy of a robot arm for manufacturing can achieve a competitive advantage in their industry through ARTEMIS™. The ability to produce higher quality products at a faster rate and lower cost positions these companies as leaders in innovation and efficiency, attracting more customers and expanding their market share.

Real-World Examples of ARTEMIS™ in Action

Tricyclon Robotics

Tricyclon Robotics is a company based in Gothenburg, Sweden, specializing in parallel kinematics machines and linear motion products for machining, friction stir welding, and intelligent assembly processes. Their innovative solution, GAIA AM, enhances milling processes by providing real-time insights and optimizations for optimal performance.

Tricyclon Robotics partnered with ATT Metrology to implement the ARTEMIS™ System in various robotic applications. The implementation of ARTEMIS™ addressed critical challenges faced by Tricyclon, resulting in enhanced production accuracy, efficiency, and competitiveness. 

“ARTEMIS™ minimizes production errors in processes such as milling, welding, and painting. [It] eliminates production stops, increasing the further robustness of the production system. In addition, [the system] also eliminates the offline quality inspection processes, saving more time in the production process. This makes ARTEMIS™ very cost-effective solution [that can] be integrated into the production at any stage of the development.”Ilker Erdem, Ph.D., CEO of Tricyclon Robotics

ARTEMIS™ For Aerospace

An aerospace company needed enhanced machine movement accuracy for a robotic material application project. Traditional calibration methods fell short, requiring a solution aligned with advanced industrial robot calibration systems trends for significant efficiency gains.

ATT’s Approach

ATT engineers implemented the ARTEMIS™ Global Metrology Platform within the robotic cells to address one aerospace company’s challenge. This innovative solution involved integrating proprietary Inertial Dimensional Metrology™ data, a sophisticated sensor fusion between 3-dimensional metrology and IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) data, across three machines.

The aerospace project’s requirements mirrored the industry’s shift towards higher precision and efficiency, necessitating a solution offering real-time, high-frequency, and low-latency data for enhanced machine path control. Leveraging the ARTEMIS™ Global Metrology Platform represents a forward-thinking response to emerging trends, emphasizing the importance of sensor fusion and real-time data analysis in meeting the sophisticated demands of modern manufacturing environments.

Results

Implementing the ARTEMIS™ Global Metrology Platform yielded transformative results for the aerospace company’s project. A robot initially operating with a volumetric accuracy of ±2 mm saw an improvement to less than 0.1 mm error within its operating volume. Meanwhile, another larger machine that started with an accuracy of up to 8 mm was enhanced to achieve a remarkable accuracy of 0.13 mm with the ARTEMIS™ solution.

Conclusion

The ARTEMIS™ System is an advanced metrology and robot accuracy solution specifically engineered to address challenges in achieving high levels of positional accuracy during dynamic operations. It is a crucial tool that aids industries in enhancing robot accuracy and industrial robot calibration with laser tracker through advanced metrology integration and real-time correction capabilities. 

Through the ARTEMIS™ System, ATT Metrology empowers industries by ensuring their manufacturing processes are more efficient, helping them maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market. 

Stay Ahead in Automation With ATT Metrology

If you’re looking to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of your manufacturing operations, we encourage you to reach out to ATT Metrology Solutions. Let ATT’s expertise transform your processes to ensure you stay ahead of the curve.

Contact ATT Metrology today to explore how our metrology solutions can benefit your business.