What is unique about IONA

IONA is the culmination of INSPHERE’s experience in tackling challenging applications. The hardware and software have been developed by us from the ground-up to monitor and improve robot processes. Enabling simple in-process measurement of the end-effectors and fixtures, we have created a system for production engineers, not metrologists.

The IONA System:

• Is designed to remain in-situ, in industrial environments and continually monitor 24/7/365.
• Can simultaneously measure multiple points of interest (in 6D).
• Overcomes line-of-sight issues by virtue of numerous vantage points and built-in redundancy.
• Does not require stable mounting.
• Has a non-specialist, easy-to-use software for collecting data and improving robot accuracy.

Our measure module can provide true position of robot end-effectors relative to the cell datum, fixture datum or any other reference (all of which can move!). Data is readily available in real time to import back into your OLP environment or integrate directly into a digital twin. The engine works best when combined with teach, our module for improving robot performance. Analogous to the manual method of touching up programs (but much quicker and simpler) teach takes the measured data and updates the robot program to reflect the design intent. It negates operator-to-operator variation, reduces the potential for mistakes, and provides an external reference to buy-off. In most applications, this enables a cell to be commissioned without the requirement for parts. Once the program is optimised, the software switches over to monitor, giving continuous assurance that in-process accuracy is maintained.

The ability to monitor a process 24/7 is often not given the value it deserves, simply because it has not previously been viable with available technologies. The costs of bad parts and process interruptions are known to be very high. IONA can shift the mind-set of manufacturing from one that tolerates scrap, waste and stoppages, to one that is constantly vigilant, is able to learn from historic data, and therefore delivers far greater productivity than has previously been possible. This shift is a key part of the move towards Smart Manufacturing Industry 4.0 philosophies, and makes possible a major uplift in manufacturing quality and productivity for a wide range of complex automation processes.

IONA directly improves the accuracy of robotic applications, giving you:

• More process confidence
• Right-first-time programs
• Significant time and cost savings
• Improved part quality
• Early detection of process drift (reducing scrap!)
• Increased uptime and better planning of preventive maintenance
• Higher productivity

Discover how IONA can help your business:

Discover the IONA System || Download the Brochure