ZEISS Research & Quality Solutions (ZEISS RQS) has launched ZEISS TALOS, a metrology robot system aimed at automated, high-volume inspection. The company states that the system combines metrology-grade accuracy with robotic kinematics, delivering measurement uncertainty below 100 µm over a reach of 3.30 meters.
According to ZEISS, TALOS positions its optical sensor precisely and repeatably without the need for external tracking systems or reference markers. The company says this enables reliable measurement of medium-sized and large components, including regions that conventional line-of-sight measurement systems find difficult to access.
Components and configuration
The system is assembled from several elements: the TALOS MR metrology robot and the compact blue-light TALOS AX sensor form an integrated measurement unit, supported by the metrology-grade TALOS RT rotation table and the TALOS Safeguard safety concept.
Dr. Jan Thesing, Head of Business Unit 3D Optical Systems at ZEISS, framed the launch as a fundamental shift in the automated metrology category, saying that metrological capability is now integrated directly into the system while the speed, range and flexibility of robotic kinematics are retained.
One sensor for surface and feature measurement
ZEISS identifies the combination of fast surface measurement with precise feature measurement as a longstanding challenge in optical metrology. The TALOS AX sensor carries two 24-megapixel cameras that capture images at 100 Hz, or up to 200 Hz in a fast scan mode. A 500 mm measurement volume and four multidirectional feature flashes are intended to let a single device measure both large surfaces — for geometry analysis and digital twin creation — and discrete features such as holes, edges, bolts and threads.
Built for production environments
The robot and system concept are designed to withstand typical shop-floor influences including temperature variation, vibration and dust. Measurement tasks can be prepared offline from the CAD model, with ZEISS INSPECT automatically calculating the required measurement positions and robot paths — a step the company says significantly reduces the time and effort of planning new measurement tasks. One-click programming, efficient robot motion and streamlined setup are presented as ways to increase throughput and make more efficient use of measurement capacity. ZEISS INSPECT also supports complete analysis, report generation and integration of results into existing processes.
Target industries and applications
ZEISS TALOS is intended for automotive, aerospace and commercial vehicle manufacturing, deployed both near production and in dedicated measurement rooms. The listed applications range from car bodies, hang-on parts and giga-casting components to aerostructures, jet engines, truck cabins and weld seams. High-resolution measurement data is positioned for evaluating component quality and deviations, and virtual tools can be used to assess functional dimensions, gap sizes and flushness, for example in automotive assembly.
The announcement did not include pricing, availability timelines or independent verification of the stated accuracy figures.