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LIBRARY ı6ıul 0) - Cranfield University

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Another type of robot static calibration reported in the literature is the inverse<br />

calibration [refs. 91,95,96], in which several points in a region of the workspace are<br />

measured precisely and compared with the points reported by the robot measuring<br />

system. An empirical (or table look up) relationship is then determined. This kind of<br />

calibration does not need system modelling, which can sometimes be very difficult.<br />

Furthermore, it may be possible to obtain a better match of the system. However, it<br />

usually requires more measurements and does not provide much insight to what<br />

caused the error.<br />

The implementation of the calibrated model can be performed in two different<br />

ways [ref. 91]: a) Real time inverse kinematics and b) Off-line inverse solution. The<br />

first method is based on the substitution of the incorrect model by the calibrated one<br />

in the robot controller. This results in a very accurate robot movement. The second<br />

method uses the calibrated model for adjusting the command poses in such a manner<br />

that the attained poses correspond to the required world co-ordinate points. The Real<br />

time inverse kinematics method cannot always be implemented, since the calibrated<br />

model is normally more complex than the nominal model. The off-line inverse solution<br />

is directly applicable in off-line programming systems. However, this technique does<br />

not provide the same levels of accuracy as the Real time inverse kinematics method<br />

[ref. 91]. One example of off-line inverse solution was described by Owens and<br />

Piatkowski [ref. 97] when applying Workspace® and Robotrak to calibrate a<br />

waterjet-cutting robot workcell.<br />

2.4.3 Cell calibration<br />

The calibration issues discussed before addressed mainly the calibration of the<br />

robot arm. Another important factor in off-line programming is the calibration of the<br />

robot workcell. The relative positions of the several components of the cell must be<br />

known to the programmer for an accurate modelling of the robot environment. The<br />

measurement of the relative positions of the several cell components can be performed<br />

in several ways, the most simple being the one which uses the calibrated robot as a<br />

measuring device [refs. 87,88,98].<br />

2.4.4 Assessment of programming errors [ref. 87]<br />

According to the definition given in section 2.2.1, a robot needs to be<br />

programmed in order to perform a specific task. Depending on the method of<br />

programming, different types of programming errors may occur.<br />

Whatever the on-line programming method used (manual lead-through or<br />

teach pendant programming), the errors that can arise are normally due to variations<br />

in workpiece positioning and workpiece dimensional tolerances. In the case of lead<br />

through programming, additional errors due to mechanical flexing during<br />

programming may occur. The robot's relatively poor absolute accuracy is no longer<br />

an issue, since programmed points are set relative to the workpiece.<br />

When using off-line programming, further to the errors caused by misplaced<br />

workpiece and by workpiece tolerances, faults might also happen due to perfect<br />

kinematic models being used by both the simulation and the real robot controller to<br />

drive an imperfect robot arm. Other sources of error can be found, such as geometric<br />

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