Friday, 20 June 2025
Laser trackers help improve precision and reduce operational costs of industrial robots, new research from the 糖心原创 says.
Published in , the new study investigates methods to improve the positioning precision of industrial robots that have undergone mechanical modifications to increase their motion resolution – the smallest distance a robot can move.
The resolution of motion within an industrial robot is limited by its integrated sensors, precision of installed control equipment, and installed software.
Industrial robots can be difficult to replace due to their heavy duty, special design and software modifications needed to increase their precision. This minimises industrial robot down-time which contributes to lower production costs and maintenance expenses.
To improve the resolution of motion in an industrial robot, an active gripper with higher motion resolution is added to the industrial robot. This makes motion with higher resolution than originally designed motion resolution feasible.
By using laser tracker technology, the positional accuracy of the modified robots significantly improves, ensuring they meet the required operational standards.
To improve the motion accuracy of robots, a high-resolution joint is integrated into the industrial robot, and a laser tracker provides precision 3D positional feedback for the end-effector of the system - the part of the robot that interacts with its environment.
The study demonstrates that by using laser trackers, companies can effectively extend the life of older robots, reduce production errors and reduce the costs needed to replace older robots that might be less efficient.
Analysis of select points from across 30 measurements showed an 82 percent improvement in positional accuracy with this method compared to the original industrial robot controller.
The research findings obtained in this study are of a significant importance as they result in increasing the industrial robot motion accuracy beyond their intended resolution with minimal changes to the industrial robot.
“Inspired by the results obtained in this study the proposed approach can be applied to a wide range of applications including pick, and place, measurement applications, and additive manufacturing.”
The full study is
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More information is available from Dr Mojtaba Ahmadieh Khanesar on Mojtaba.Ahmadiehkhanesar@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.