Flexiv Rizon: Transforming Surface Finishing with 7-Axis Force-Controlled Robot

Hi LinkedIn Community,

Welcome to Flexiv’s first LinkedIn article! Have you ever wondered if there’s a better way to complete surface finishing jobs like sanding or polishing? Well, you’re in luck. The answer, like most modern solutions, is to employ a robot.

For material abrasion tasks, not just any robot will do though. In this in-depth, two-part article, we explore the technology that makes our adaptive robots the ideal solution for material abrasion tasks while examining their impact and potential applications.

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Omnidirectional Compliance: Transforming Robotic Flexibility

In the realm of robotics, compliance is a core concept that enables robots to interact safely and effectively with their environment. Traditional industrial robots and cobots often rely on external compliance devices to achieve limited compliance, typically in axial or radial directions. However, Flexiv’s proprietary technology introduces a new level of flexibility by enabling omnidirectional compliance. This breakthrough allows robots to control force and moment (the tendency of a force to rotate an object around an axis) in all dimensions of Cartesian space, opening up a world of possibilities.

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One Robot. Multiple Possibilities. Decrease Cost.

A major advantage of omnidirectional compliance is its ability to enable an adaptive robot to use multiple off-the-shelf end-of-arm tools. For instance, in sanding applications, cobots typically need a separate compliance device for each tool, significantly increasing deployment complexity and cost. In contrast, Flexiv’s robots can seamlessly switch between different sanding tools, without the need for additional sensors or equipment. This flexibility not only eliminates the need for additional hardware but also streamlines and simplifies the overall system design.

Ready to transform your surface finishing game? Contact Flexiv today and discover how Rizon can revolutionize your production process.

Contact Angle Control

Leveraging advanced force control, Flexiv's adaptive robots achieve unparalleled control over the contact angle between the end-of-arm tool and the surface it engages with. This enables exceptional responsiveness to curvature and surface variations, ideal for polishing and grinding applications with demanding adaptive requirements. As an adaptive robot can instantly and automatically adjust the tool angle to match the contact surface's curvature while setting and applying pre-set force levels, the tuning and adjustment process is simple and straightforward.

This might sound like magic, but here’s how we do it:

• Adaptive Force-control: Featuring torque force sensors (FT sensors) in all seven axes, Flexiv’s Rizon series of robots can autonomously fine-tune the force direction to ensure continuous surface engagement.
• Curved Surface Adaptation: The robot can instantaneously detect and then adapt its position to maintain constant contact while applying a specified level of force.

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Without prior knowledge of the object’s shape, Flexiv Rizon adaptive robots can effectively feel and follow the surface of a workpiece automatically.

Before comments like ‘I’ve seen a robot do that before’ and ‘a position-controlled robot can do the same job’ start appearing, we have to make one thing clear:

An adaptive robot responds in real-time to surface variation and workpiece misalignment.

This enables a more uniform and consistent finish than position-controlled robots, which rely on pre-programmed trajectories that cannot account for surface variations or improper placement.

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A Sense of Touch

Imagine a robot that can sense and respond to every surface it interacts with. It can tell if something is soft, rigid, or even if it deforms under contact.? With torque sensors in all seven axes, this is just one of the many abilities of an adaptive robot.

These FT sensors enable an adaptive robot to continuously monitor and adjust the force it applies to a surface in real-time, ensuring consistent and accurate results. It’s thanks to this that the Rizon series is ideal for tasks that require exacting control, such as sanding, polishing, and installing delicate components.

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Why It Matters

Unlike their position-controlled counterparts, an adaptive robots’ real-time feedback empowers them to adjust their movements on the fly, ensuring unparalleled precision and consistency. This precise force-control also enables adaptive robots to become more compliant and less rigid in their movements, which is essential when completing material abrasion tasks.

While adaptive robots excel in tasks that require finesse, their ability to control force unlocks a vast array of applications. Here’s a brief list of tasks that can benefit from force-control:

• Wire harness assembly
• Machine tending
• FPC/FFC assembly and connecting
• Component parts insertion
• Quality testing
• Fruit picking/harvesting
• Material handling
• Automated cleaning
• Teleoperation
• Product testing

Flexiv’s omnidirectional compliance technology is a significant leap forward in how robots interact with their surroundings.

From the industrial and agricultural sectors to hospitality and healthcare, the potential impact of this technology is poised to transform the world for the better.

Flexiv is not just advancing technology; we’re transforming manufacturing efficiency.

Ready to transform your surface finishing game? Contact Flexiv today and discover how Rizon can revolutionize your production process.

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Your adaptive automation partner,

Flexiv Robotics

Congratulations, you just finished part 1 of this two-part series about the benefits of using force-control in polishing and grinding.

Put your feet up, grab a coffee, and let your boss know you’ve found a way to increase your bottom line while improving quality, consistency, and throughput.

Flexiv Robotics is a deep-tech company revolutionizing the automation sector. Powered by artificial intelligence, computer vision, and human-centered design, our adaptive robots enable the flexible automation of complex tasks. ?? Connect with us at Flexiv.com →