Technology & Products
Hand guiding, machine vision and force control
From hand guiding to machine vision and force control: these are the technologies and products MRK-Systeme uses in robot applications.
01 · Product – SafeGuiding
Guide robots intuitively by hand
Move easily. Teach quickly. Automate flexibly.
SafeGuiding is a technology package developed by MRK-Systeme for KUKA industrial robots – usable with all KUKA controllers and for robots of every payload class. It combines manual guidance and automatic operation in a meaningful way. Movements can be taught directly on the real robot – right where the process takes place. A robot movement quickly becomes a teachable sequence, without having to rely solely on offline programming and its virtual representation.
Support for demanding handling tasks
SafeGuiding can also turn robots into hand-guided lifting and positioning aids. Large or heavy components can be moved and aligned intuitively. Guided movements via joystick are possible as well – for example along a defined path or for ergonomic component adjustment. Depending on the process, automatic steps and manual guidance can alternate within a semi-automated sequence.
Teaching movements made easy
For teaching, the robot can be guided manually, for example via a force-torque sensor. In the applications described, points or entire paths can also be recorded using a push button. If points are captured at regular intervals – around every 2 mm – a programmed path can be created from them. This makes it easier to teach recurring movements and allows simple operation even by skilled workers who are not robot programmers.
Configured to suit the application
In addition, integrated or peripheral sensors can help approach end positions or capture the surroundings. Some customer projects also use customised user interfaces for interaction with operating staff. Safe motion guidance is brought into line with protective, working and monitoring zones as well as speeds.
The result: teach motion sequences directly on the real process, guide components intuitively and complement automation with targeted manual intervention. Which sensors, controls and safety functions are used depends on the specific application.
SafeGuiding makes robot movements directly tangible – for flexible teaching and ergonomic handling.
02 · Technology – Machine vision
When robots can see, automation becomes more flexible
Machine vision, physical AI and AI for the production of tomorrow.
In real-world production, things are not always exactly the same: workpieces are positioned differently, surfaces change and processes have to respond to new situations. Machine vision and AI add a crucial capability to robotics: capturing information from the environment, interpreting it and using it for the next work step.
Physical AI brings this intelligence into the physical world. Cameras and sensors capture what is happening around the robot. Software interprets the data and helps the robot adapt its movement to the situation at hand. The result is automation solutions that can go beyond rigidly programmed sequences.
MRK-Systeme GmbH combines robotics with a broad partner network for industrial machine vision and AI, e.g.:
Roboception develops, among other things, 3D robot vision that enables robots to perceive their surroundings spatially and perform tasks more autonomously. Wherever objects need to be captured in three dimensions and their position in space taken into account, this technology provides an important foundation for flexible robot applications.
Cambrian combines AI with 3D vision, among other things. Functions such as 6D pose estimation and intelligent path planning support demanding applications – including bin picking, assembly and cable handling. This allows robots to take on tasks in which workpieces and motion paths pose a particular challenge.
Micropsi brings primarily AI-based motion control to robotics with MIRAI. The software helps robots deal with variations in position, shape, colour, lighting or background. This opens up automation opportunities for processes in which rigid, exactly repeated conditions are not always given.
SICK offers a versatile portfolio for industrial machine vision – from 2D and 3D vision sensors to software solutions. Depending on the application, the technologies support detecting, positioning, inspecting, measuring and identifying.
Which technology fits best can depend on the workpiece, the process and the production environment.
MRK-Systeme brings the right building blocks together – as holistic, well-thought-out automation that can see, interpret and act.
03 · Technology – Force control
Robotics with a delicate touch
Join precisely. Process evenly. Respond flexibly.
When components are not positioned exactly the same way or surfaces vary, more than a precise position counts. Force-torque-controlled robot applications measure the acting forces and torques and adapt their movement accordingly. A rigid sequence becomes a process that responds to contact with the workpiece.
Whether joining, inserting, grinding or polishing: the control helps to apply contact forces in a targeted way and to compensate for component and positional tolerances within the designed control range. Sensitive components can be handled more gently and machining processes made more uniform.
The right solution for your robot
KUKA.ForceTorqueControl in combination with a force-torque sensor enables targeted control of process forces and torques. Whether assembly, grinding or polishing: specified setpoints form the basis for controlled workpiece contact and uniform machining.
Force Copilot simplifies programming of force-controlled applications on compatible Universal Robots systems. Functions for finding surfaces, aligning and inserting support demanding assembly tasks. Adjustable compliance and force control open up additional possibilities in surface finishing.
Tangible benefits for your process
Depending on the application, positional and component tolerances can be compensated, mechanical loads reduced and sensitive components handled more gently. This supports reproducible quality and more flexible automation. Which solution fits depends on the robot platform, sensors and process requirements.
More feel for your production – talk to us about your application.