Gunnar Bolmsjö

Sensor Integration in Task-level Programming and Industrial Robotic Task Execution Control

Presents an approach to improved performance and flexibility in industrial robotics by means of sensor integration and feedback control in task‐level programming and task execution. Also presents feasibility studies in support of the ideas. Discusses some solutions to the problem using six degrees of freedom force control together with the ABB S4CPlus system as an illustrative example. Consider various problems in the design of an open sensor interface for industrial robotics and discusses possible solutions. Finally, presents experimental results from industrial force controlled grinding.

Investigation of path compensation methods for robotic friction stir welding

Purpose – Friction stir welding (FSW) is a novel method for joining materials without using consumables and without melting the materials. The purpose of this paper is to present the state of the a ...

Design and validation of a universal 6D seam tracking system in robotic welding based on laser scanning

This paper presents the design and validation of a universal 6D seam tracking system that reduces the need of accurate robot trajectory programming and geometrical databases in robotic laser scanning. The 6D seam tracking system was developed in the flexible unified simulation environment, integrating software prototyping with mechanical virtual prototyping, based on physical experiments. The validation experiments showed that this system was both robust and reliable and should be able to manage a radius of curvature less than 200 mm. In the pre‐scanning mode, a radius of curvature down to 2 mm was managed for pipe intersections at 3 scans/mm, using a laser scanner with an accuracy of 0.015 mm.

Design and validation of a universal 6D seam-tracking system in robotic welding using arc sensing

This paper presents the design and validation of a novel and universal 6D seam-tracking system that reduces the need for accurate robot trajectory programming and geometrical databases in robotic arc welding. Such sensor-driven motion control together with adaptive control of the welding process is the foundation for increased flexibility and autonomous behavior of robotic and manufacturing systems. The system is able to follow any 3D spline seam in space with a moderate radius of curvature by real-time correction of the position and orientation of the welding torch, using the through-arc sensing method. The 6D seam-tracking system was developed in the Flexible Unified Simulation Environment (FUSE), integrating software prototyping with mechanical virtual prototyping, based on physical experiments. The validation experiments showed that this system was both robust and reliable, and is able to manage a radius of curvature less than 200 mm.

Human and robot interaction based on safety zones in a shared work environment

In this paper, early work on how to implement flexible safety zones is presented. In the case study an industrial robot cell emulates the environment at a wall construction site, with a robot performing nailing routines. Tests are performed with humans entering the safety zones of a SafetyEye system. The zone violation is detected, and new warning zones initiated. The robot retracts but continues its work tasks with reduced speed and within a safe distance of the human operator. Interaction is achieved through simultaneous work on the same work piece and the warning zones can be initiated and adjusted in a flexible way.

Thermoelectric method for temperature measurement in friction stir welding

Abstract Previous research within friction stir welding (FSW) has demonstrated that online control of welding parameters can improve the mechanical properties and is necessary for certain applications to guarantee a consistent weld quality. One approach to control the process is by adapting the heat input to maintain a stable welding temperature, within the specified operating boundaries. This requires accurate in-process temperature measurements. This paper presents a novel method to measure the temperature at the interface of the FSW tool and workpiece. The method is based on the thermoelectric effect between dissimilar materials. The measurements are compared to thermocouple measurements and to a physical model and show good correspondence to each other. Experiments demonstrate that the method can quickly detect temperature variations, due to geometrical variations of the workpiece or due to parameter changes. This allows use of the method for online control of robotic FSW.

How to transfer information between collaborating human operators and industrial robots in an assembly

Flexible human-robot industrial coproduction will be important in many small and middle-sized companies in the future. One of the major challenges in a flexible robot cell is how to transfer information between the human and the robot with help of existing and safety approved equipment. In this paper a case study will be presented where the first half focus on data transfer to the robot communicating the humans position and movements forcing the robot to respond to the triggers. The second half focuses on how to visualize information about the settings and assembly order to the human. The outcome was successful and flexible, efficient coproduction could be achieved but also a number of new challenges were found.

Using methods-time measurement to connect digital humans and motion databases

To simulate human motions in DHM tools, using techniques which are based on real human data is one promising solution. We have presented a solution in this study to connect motion databases with DHM tools. We have showed that using a motion database with MTM-based annotations is a promising way in order to synthesize natural looking motions. A platform consists of a Motion Database, a Motion Generator, and a DHM tool was introduced and tested. The results showed successful application of the presented platform in the designed test case.

Deflection model for robotic friction stir welding

Purpose – This paper aims to present a deflection model to improve positional accuracy of industrial robots. Earlier studies have demonstrated the lack of accuracy of heavy-duty robots when exposed to high external forces. One application where the robot is pushed to its limits in terms of forces is friction stir welding (FSW). This process requires the robot to deliver forces of several kilonewtons causing deflections in the robot joints. Especially for robots with serial kinematics, these deflections will result in significant tool deviations, leading to inferior weld quality. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents a kinematic deflection model, assuming a rigid link and flexible joint serial kinematics robot. As robotic FSW is a process which involves high external loads and a constant welding speed of usually below 50 mm/s, many of the dynamic effects are negligible. The model uses force feedback from a force sensor, embedded on the robot, and predicts the tool deviation, based on the measur...

Safety System for Industrial Robots to Support Collaboration

The ongoing trend towards manufacturing of customized products generates an increased demand on highly efficient work methods to manage product variants through flexible automation. Adopting robots for automation is not always feasible in low batch production. However, the combination of humans together with robots performing tasks in collaboration provides a complementary mix of skill and creativity of humans, and precision and strength of robots which support flexible production in small series down to one-off production. Through this, collaboration can be used with implications on reconfiguration and production. In this paper, the focus and study is on designing safety for efficient collaboration operator—robot in selected work task scenarios. The recently published ISO/TS 15066:2016 describing collaboration between operator and robot is in this context an important document for development and implementation of robotic systems designed for collaboration between operator and robot.