ZEISS Research & Quality Solutions has introduced ZEISS TALOS, a metrology robot intended for automated, high-volume inspection. The system combines metrology-grade accuracy with robotic kinematics and is designed to measure medium-sized and large components, including areas that line-of-sight systems may struggle to reach.
ZEISS says the system delivers measurement uncertainty below 100 µm over a reach of 3.30 meters. It positions the sensor precisely and repeatably without external tracking systems or reference markers, an arrangement intended to simplify setup and support reliable measurement in production-related environments.
Integrated hardware for optical inspection
TALOS comprises the TALOS MR metrology robot and the compact TALOS AX blue-light sensor, which form an integrated measurement unit. ZEISS also pairs the system with the TALOS RT rotation table and the TALOS Safeguard safety concept. The configuration is aimed at automated inspection tasks that require both surface capture and feature measurement.
“ZEISS TALOS marks 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,” said Dr. Jan Thesing, head of the Business Unit 3D Optical Systems at ZEISS.
The TALOS AX sensor uses two 24-megapixel cameras and captures images at 100 Hz, or up to 200 Hz in fast-scan mode. A 500 mm measurement volume and four multidirectional feature flashes support measurement of large surfaces for geometry analysis and digital twins, as well as features such as holes, edges, bolts and threads. ZEISS says this addresses a longstanding challenge in optical metrology: combining fast surface measurement with precise feature measurement in one automated workflow.
Designed for production use
The robot and system concept are designed to withstand temperature variations, vibration and dust, conditions typical of production environments. Measurement tasks can be prepared offline from a CAD model. ZEISS INSPECT software then automatically calculates the required measurement positions and robot paths, reducing the effort needed to plan new tasks.
One-click programming, efficient robot motion and streamlined setup are intended to increase throughput and make better use of measurement capacity. With ZEISS INSPECT, users can perform complete analyses, generate reports and integrate measurement results into existing processes. The system is positioned for use both near production lines and in dedicated measurement rooms.
Target applications
ZEISS TALOS is designed for automotive, aerospace and commercial vehicle manufacturing. Applications include inspection of car bodies, hang-on parts and giga-casting parts, as well as aerostructures, jet engines, truck cabins and weld seams. High-resolution measurement data is intended to help evaluate component quality and deviations. Virtual tools can be used to assess functional dimensions, gap sizes and flushness, for example in automotive assembly.
The launch extends ZEISS’s optical metrology portfolio into a robotic format that emphasizes automation, reach and repeatability. The key question for manufacturers will be how the integrated system performs across the range of large-part inspection tasks for which it is intended.