A device for robot-assisted machining of surfaces is described below. According to an example, the device has a retainer with a base plate designed for mounting on a manipulator and has an assembly suspended on the retainer, the assembly comprising a machine tool. The retainer has a tilt mechanism which couples the assembly to the retainer in such a way that the assembly can be tilted relative to the base plate about two axes of rotation, wherein the two axes of rotation can intersect with one another and run through the assembly below the base plate.

A surface evaluation system that includes one or more vision systems that generate target surface data during evaluation of a surface, the one or more vision systems comprising two or more of: at least one light, a camera, a structured light camera, a laser scanner and a 3D scanner.

A method and a system for machining a work piece by a machining tool are provided. The method includes relatively moving the machining tool against the work piece to apply machining feeds therebetween. The contact points at the work piece are arranged on the area of the work piece to be machined, and the contact points at the machining tool form a curve on the machining tool surface. The system includes a manipulator, a machining tool and a controller being adapted for controlling the manipulator to operate the machining tool according to the method as above. With this solution, the system can generate wave paths of a machining tool, so as to extend the life of the tool and ensure the processing quality.

A surface evaluation system that includes one or more vision systems that generate target surface data during evaluation of a surface, the one or more vision systems comprising two or more of: at least one light, a camera, a structured light camera, a laser scanner and a 3D scanner.

A dummy tool is used to teach a robot the path the robot will follow to perform work on a workpiece to eliminate the possibility of damaging an actual tool during the training. The dummy tool provides the robot programmer an indication of potential collisions between the tool and the workpiece and other objects in the work cell when path is being taught. The dummy tool can have a detachable input/output device with a graphic user interface (GUI) that can communicate wirelessly with the robot controller. The dummy tool can also have a moveable camera attached thereto to track the relationship of the tool to objects in the work area.

A dummy tool is used to teach a robot the path the robot will follow to perform work on a workpiece to eliminate the possibility of damaging an actual tool during the training. The dummy tool provides the robot programmer an indication of potential collisions between the tool and the workpiece and other objects in the work cell when path is being taught. The dummy tool can have a detachable input/output device with a graphic user interface (GUI) that can communicate wirelessly with the robot controller. The dummy tool can also have a moveable camera attached thereto to track the relationship of the tool to objects in the work area.

A method and a system for machining a work piece by a machining tool are provided. The method includes relatively moving the machining tool against the work piece to apply machining feeds therebetween. The contact points at the work piece are arranged on the area of the work piece to be machined, and the contact points at the machining tool form a curve on the machining tool surface. The system includes a manipulator, a machining tool and a controller being adapted for controlling the manipulator to operate the machining tool according to the method as above. With this solution, the system can generate wave paths of a machining tool, so as to extend the life of the tool and ensure the processing quality.

A robotic system is presented that includes a surface inspection system that receives sampling information for a number of areas within a region of a worksurface. The system also includes a robotic arm, coupled to a surface engaging tool, the robotic repair arm being configured to cause the surface processing tool to engage the region of the worksurface. The system also includes a process mapping system configured to, based on the sampling information: approximate a surface topography in the region of the worksurface, generate a surface processing plan for the region based on the approximated surface topography that includes a trajectory. The surface processing plan includes one of: a force profile along the trajectory, a velocity profile for the surface engaging tool along the trajectory, a rotational speed profile, for the surface engaging tool, along the trajectory, or a trajectory modification that accounts for the presence of a surface feature identified in the approximated surface topography. The process mapping system is also configured to generate a control signal for the robotic arm that includes the surface processing plan.

A method and an apparatus for smart automation of robotic surface finishing of a three-dimensional surface of a workpiece is described. A finite element analysis simulation is conducted providing data for generation of a three-dimensional path along the surface of the workpiece. The finite element can include properties of the workpiece, finishing tool, and the robot configured to maneuver the finishing tool. The surface of the workpiece is finished using one or more surface finishing tools along the three-dimensional path. The surface of the workpiece includes at least a flat region and a curved region.

This disclosure concerns a method for selecting a tool-path strategy in a material processing operation. The geometry of a work piece (34) and the contact patch (36) of a tool are determined and used to define a tool-path boundary (30,32). A number of different possible tool-paths (38,40,46) are then simulated within the tool-path boundary (30) and the most preferred tool-path (38,40,46) is selected based on predefined requirements.