FARO Arm Positional Overshoot Measurement System

Overview

The FARO Arm Positional Overshoot Measurement System is a metrology-grade evaluation platform engineered to quantify dynamic positioning behavior in portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) arms—specifically the transient response characteristics during motion-to-stop transitions. Unlike static accuracy or repeatability assessments governed by ISO 10360-2 and ISO 10360-8, this system focuses on the dynamic parameter of positional overshoot: the maximum deviation beyond the commanded target position before settling, measured under controlled acceleration/deceleration profiles. Overshoot is a critical performance indicator for applications requiring rapid point-to-point measurement cycles—such as in-line quality verification, robotic cell calibration, or automated inspection workflows—where uncontrolled oscillation compromises measurement integrity and cycle time efficiency. The system operates in conjunction with FARO’s certified arm hardware (e.g., FARO Platinum or QuantumS series), leveraging high-frequency encoder sampling and synchronized trigger-based data acquisition to capture sub-millisecond transient displacement events.

Key Features

• High-temporal-resolution capture of arm tip displacement during deceleration phase (sampling ≥1 kHz)
• Traceable quantification of overshoot magnitude (µm), settling time (ms), and post-overshoot damping ratio
• Standardized test protocols aligned with VDI/VDE 2617 Part 9 (dynamic performance of CMMs) and ANSI/ASME B89.4.10-2020 (performance evaluation of articulated arm CMMs)
• Integrated motion control interface enabling repeatable step-response excitation across multiple axes and joint configurations
• Real-time visualization of position error vs. time curves with configurable thresholds for pass/fail evaluation
• Support for both single-axis and multi-axis coordinated move tests, including cornering and arc-segment transitions

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

This measurement system is compatible exclusively with FARO-branded portable articulating arms equipped with digital encoders and firmware supporting external trigger synchronization (Firmware v5.5+). It does not support legacy analog-output arms or third-party articulated arms. All test procedures comply with the metrological traceability requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for calibration laboratories. Data outputs are structured to meet audit readiness criteria under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (electronic records and signatures) when deployed in regulated manufacturing environments. Test reports include uncertainty budgets per GUM (JCGM 100:2008), incorporating contributions from thermal drift, encoder resolution, and environmental vibration.

Software & Data Management

The system utilizes FARO Metrology Suite v4.2+ with the Dynamic Performance Module enabled. Raw trajectory data is stored in HDF5 format with embedded metadata (timestamp, temperature, humidity, arm serial number, firmware version). Software supports batch processing of multiple test runs, statistical summarization (mean overshoot, standard deviation, Cp/Cpk), and export to CSV, PDF, or XML for integration into enterprise quality management systems (QMS). Audit trails record all user actions—including parameter edits, report generation, and calibration certificate imports—with immutable timestamps and operator ID logging. Optional API access enables programmatic scheduling via Python or LabVIEW for automated production line validation.

Applications

• Verification of arm performance after mechanical maintenance or joint replacement
• Baseline characterization prior to deployment in high-speed automated inspection cells
• Comparative analysis between arm generations (e.g., FARO Edge vs. QuantumS) under identical motion profiles
• Root-cause investigation of measurement scatter correlated with motion dynamics rather than static geometry
• Validation of servo tuning parameters in custom robot-integrated CMM setups
• Supporting GLP/GMP documentation requirements for medical device or aerospace component inspection processes

FAQ

Is this system a standalone instrument or an add-on module?
It is a software-enabled metrological service package requiring a compatible FARO arm, calibrated reference artifact (e.g., precision sphere array), and FARO Metrology Suite license.
Does it measure only positional overshoot, or other dynamic parameters too?
Yes—it also computes settling time, damping ratio, cornering deviation, and trajectory repeatability per ISO 10360-8 Annex D.
Can test results be used for ISO 17025 accreditation?
Yes, provided the laboratory maintains documented uncertainty budgets, environmental controls (20 ±1°C), and periodic verification against NIST-traceable artifacts.
What environmental conditions are required during testing?
Testing must occur in a thermally stable environment (20 ±1°C), with vibration isolation per ISO 10360-1 Section 6.3, and relative humidity 40–60% RH.
Is remote operation supported for rental customers?
Remote supervision is available via secure TLS-encrypted VNC; however, physical setup, artifact alignment, and environmental monitoring remain on-site responsibilities.