Flexxbotics Integrates Hexagon Inspection Equipment
This integration of robot and in-line inspection capabilities reportedly enable continuous, unattended robot operations.
Flexxbotics, a supplier of workcell digitalization technologies for robot-driven manufacturing, has released FlexxCore, its advanced robotic machine tending in-line inspection connectivity compatible with Hexagon inspection equipment. This combination of technologies was developed to help manufacturers achieve precision quality with Six Sigma consistency and faster cycle times by delivering higher yields and greater throughput on complex parts for increased profit per part, according to Flexxbotics.
FlexxCore is designed to enable robots to securely connect and communicate with Hexagon machines, allowing the robots to receive closed-loop feedback based on automated inspection results enabling real-time adjustments to CNC machine programs for autonomous process control. Flexxbotics claims that, with this in-line inspection capability, it’s possible to orchestrate fleets of robots to achieve continuous, unattended operations.
The Hexagon inspection technologies that can be used with Flexxbotics include Hexagon’s PC-DMIS CMM (coordinate measuring machine) for bridge and gantry CMMs, the Tempo robotic-enabled CMM system, NC measuring software, and the Q-DAS product line for statistical process control and intelligent machine control (IMC).
“We believe in-line inspection technologies make autonomy in the smart factory possible, providing the closed-loop coordination necessary for autonomous process control,” said Tyler Modelski, chief technology officer and co-founder of Flexxbotics. “That’s why we have focused on making inspection equipment interoperable with CNC machines and the production robots which control and coordinate robot-driven manufacturing.”
Flexxbotics points out that its SaaS (software-as-a-service) robot operating software can operate online and offline, allowing production to continue with or without internet access. The company also promotes its ability to work with existing business systems such as CAD/CAM, DNC, SCADA/HMI, MES, ERP, PLM and others for process integration.
