Adaptative Ultrasonic Range-Finder for Robotics

The Instituto de Automática Industrial has carried out researches in the field of sensors since its very beginning. During the last five years, the work on sensors has been, and still is, going on within the general program of the Instituto de Automática Industrial about Flexible Manufacturing Integrated Systems. In this field of activities the research is focused on two different topics: machining processes cutting condition appraisement and industrial robots perception. On the first one, and related with other works performed on machine-tools at the Instituto, the pursued objectives are the continuous appraisal of the cutting and tool wear down conditions and its breakage prediction. Attainment of these objectives would allow disposing of unmanned machining processes by means of adaptive control of machining parameters, dynamic compensation of machining and replacement of tool at the adequate moment.