A new six degrees of freedom position sensor greatly improves flexible manufacturing ‐ but will manufacturers adapt? Available to Purchase

Claims that manufacturing industry needs better multi‐dimensional position sensors to keep pace with increased speed and capabilities of automated equipment and robots. The market for laser and vision sensors is growing at a rapid speed. However, most of the robot‐mounted sensors are one‐, two‐ or at most three‐dimensional, while the robotics industry has progressed to six‐axis machines, leaving a gross mismatch in its capability to perform and sense the required task. A new laser sensor described in this paper provides information on up to six degrees of position, enabling robots to sense as well as they can physically manipulate, and opening the door to vast improvements in flexible manufacturing. To expedite these improvements, the manufacturing industry should take a lead and not let an outdated norm hinder implementation.