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The Cetim on Enova 2015 presented for the first time the X-Raybot, a portable robot dedicated to assessing the residual stresses of metal parts by X-ray diffraction, co-developed with the company MRX.
"Until now, the devices have remained very heavy, especially because of the water-cooling system in the X-ray tube,"says Fadi Hermès, MRX's industrial director. We wanted to develop a new product that could be easily transported to carry out in situ measurements to assess residual stresses caused, including welding, machining, mechanical or thermal processing operations. All this, by making a technological leap. »
X-Raybot incorporates a new air process that frees itself from pipes, connection constraints, and noise generated by cooling... Another innovation is the choice of a robotic cell, which is less cumbersome than traditional axis systems: a 6-axis articulated arm performs all the movements of the device and positions the reading head. As a result, it is possible to make 10 to 15 reading points on a piece, whatever its shape, and to map its constraints.
This new equipment also offers multiple assets and features that save valuable time for its users: instead of the 15 to 20 minutes requested by traditional devices, two to three minutes are enough for the X-Raybot to make the measurements... Reverse kinematics software from the robot for the simulation of trajectories allows a more precise positioning and a smooth release of the part on return. A camera on the camera's head makes it easy to move around and can even take pictures. It also has a laser triangulation function for positioning the head on the sample with a repeatability of 50 microns and an angular domain increased to 30 degrees compared to 15 degrees for traditional systems.
The X-ray diffractometer is generally used in many sectors such as aeronautics, automotive, rail, petrochemicals, etc. Its principle is to send X-rays on one side of the room and recover the diffracted ray from the opposite side. The angle between the two rays is an indicator to characterize the structure and assess the stresses. By being able to intervene in situ,X-Raybot now allows for rapid monitoring of product compliance and quality during production. It is also a development aid to optimize manufacturing, in the case of a failure analysis such as a rupture of part for example ...
MRX has asked Cetim for its expertise in innovation and also for its multi-technical approach, whether in robotics, fatigue, materials, or even in measurement. Through this co-development, MRX sought to improve its existing technologies and respond to its customers requesting a portable device. This is how the robotic path became established. The design of the X-Raybot was also supported by Jean-Michel Sprauel, an academic at the Institute of Movement Sciences.
Find out more: www.cetim.fr
