Precision optimized process design for highly repeatable handling with articulated industrial robots

High-precision handling processes are essential for various high-tech industries and are typically realized using specialized high precision robots. Articulated robots are rarely used for such tasks due to their low stiffness and accuracy stemming from their kinematic structure. This work presents a methodology for designing handling processes that maximise repeatability with articulated robots. By considering their kinematic structures' highly pose dependent properties as well as sensitivity to external disturbances in every step of the processes design, significantly improved repeatability can be achieved. The applicability of the new methodology is verified experimentally using the example of handling of large silicon dies.