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156 MMS January 2016 mmsonline.com MODERN EQUIPMENT REVIEW Spotlight: Robots & Automation Perceptron's AutoScan Collaborative RoboGauge extends its family of next-generation industrial gaging products to include fully automated robotic 3D scanning for dimensional measurement and gaging applications on the manufacturing floor. The system combines traditional industrial FANUC robot technology and Perceptron's Helix smart scanning sensor as a standardized gaging pack- age. The package is designed to offer a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional "hard gages." Collaborative safety measures eliminate the need for traditional robot safety fences, the company says. The cell can handle a variety of parts, including sheet metal, fabrications, molded AUTOMATED METROLOGY CELL OPERATES IN OR NEAR LINE par ts and castings, and can be used in com- parative or absolute inspection mode. The RoboGauge cell includes a rigid machine base for holding both robot and part fixture with translucent side panels that light up to provide visual color status indication. The perimeter is monitored using integrated Guardmaster SafeZone laser scanners, which use the diffused reflection of emitted infrared laser light to create a two- dimensional programmable detection safety field capable of detecting intrusion within the defined, programmable safety zone. The Dual Check Safety Zone system provides programmable safety zone control; warning and protection modes; robot reach restricted to the measurement volume; speed and separation monitoring; safety-rated robot stop monitoring; and automatic recovery when the safety zone is cleared. According to Perceptron, its Vector software enables users without in-depth metrology exper- tise to operate the RoboGauge. It provides real- time status monitoring, SPC repor ting, visual fixturing alignment, and AutoSolve feature extrac- tion comparison to CAD. RoboGauge is also available with temperature compensation. Perceptron, call 800-333-7753 or visit perceptron.com. FORCE, TORQUE SENSOR FOR INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS PROTECTED AGAINST DUST, SPRAY ATI Industrial Automation's Capacitive F/T Sensor for industrial robots, pressing force control, grind- ing, deburring and other applications is intended to be a low-cost option for measuring the six components of force and torque in the X, Y and Z axes. The sensor is IP65-rated for protection against dust and water spray, and hard mechan- ical stops provide overload protection. The sensor's force range is 45 foot-pounds (200 N) and its torque range is 35 inch-pounds (4 Nm).