Performance evaluation of iGPS for industrial applications

The performance of Large-Volume Metrology has substantially increased during the last number of years. Systems such as indoor global positioning system (iGPS) provide precise measurements in complete production environments and will eventually lead to the development of new manufacturing principles. The understanding of measurement uncertainty has always been a critical step in the integration of measurement systems in production lines. The laboratory of machine tools and production engineering WZL is addressing this important step by working with a focus on cooperating robot movements to provide a suitable application case. An initial performance evaluation of the iGPS system at WZL is undertaken. Theoretical simulation of the triangulation allows the development of a virtual iGPS. However, at this moment in time parameters are not fully known. Experimental results from a laser tracker for reference measurement are used to validate simulations. An overview of the primary use of the iGPS to control and calibrate robots will show the potential that iGPS possesses to be used in industrial applications, not being limited to robots only.