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Running a Calibration

The entry point is through Robot Configuration > Calibration. This is the right choice for first-time setup and for occasional re-calibration, since it gives you full access to every step and setting in the Flow.

Managing Calibrations​

Beyond running a calibration, the Calibration area gives you tools to manage the calibrations you already have.

Import and export lets you move a calibration between systems. The most common reason to use this is when you swap a Control Unit: export the calibration from the old unit before the swap, then import it onto the replacement so the Robot keeps its existing alignment without having to be recalibrated from scratch. Export also serves as a useful backup before you make significant changes.

Use deactivate to reset to factory calibration to return the Robot to its original, as-shipped calibration. This is helpful when a calibration has drifted or was set up incorrectly and you want a clean, known starting point before running a new calibration. Keep in mind that resetting discards your current calibration, so export it first if there is any chance you will want it back.

If you ever need to revert to a previous state, use the restore feature to roll back to the previously active calibration. This puts the prior calibration in use.

For instructions on how to create a new calibration from scratch, please see the New Calibration section below.

Managing existing calibrations

New Calibration​

Creating a new calibration is a guided, four-step process. You move through the steps in order, and each one builds on the choices you made in the previous step.

Note: the product currently only allows for camera-based calibration. The laser calibration is only for RobCo internal use.

Step 1 — Sensor Type​

Start by choosing the type of sensor you are calibrating. Select the camera, depending on the hardware mounted on your Robot. This choice determines how the rest of the Flow behaves, so make sure it matches the actual sensor in use before continuing.

Calibration currently supports two device types. Both measure the calibration target's pose relative to the Robot — you only need one:

  • Camera — a RobVision camera that detects the target in its image. It takes several detections at each pose and averages the ones that agree, which makes it robust to noise.
  • Laser Tracker — a tracker that follows a mirror ball (SMR) for a high-precision, single-shot measurement. It needs a one-time base alignment so it knows where the Robot base sits in its own frame.

Step 2 — Edge Device and Camera​

Next, tell the system which edge device and camera to use. First select the edge device, then select the corresponding camera connected to that device.

Once the camera is selected, check the live picture carefully. The Robot, together with the calibration board, must be captured correctly and clearly in the frame. If the view is poor, for example if the image is too dark, too bright, out of focus, or the board is partly out of frame, adjust the camera settings until the Robot and calibration board are clearly visible. Getting a clean image here is important, because the calibration relies on the camera seeing the board accurately.

Setting up a camera​

  1. Pick the Camera sensor type. On the device setup step, choose "Camera".
  2. Select the RobVision edge device. Under "Edge device", pick the RobVision device the camera is attached to. Devices themselves are created and managed in the RobVision section — here you only choose among the ones already configured. Use "Manage RobVision devices" if the list is empty.
  3. Choose the camera. Pick which of the device's cameras points at the calibration target. If the device has only one camera it is selected automatically.
  4. Verify the live snapshot. A snapshot is captured automatically. Confirm the target is clearly visible and framed like the reference image below, then use "Refresh" to re-check. A loaded snapshot means the camera is ready.

The target must stay visible and well-framed at every pose — a pose where it can't be detected is skipped. Frame it like this reference:

Calibration target framing example

Setting up a Laser Tracker​

  1. Pick the Laser Tracker sensor type and connect. Choose "Laser Tracker", enter the tracker's host (IP or hostname) and press "Connect". A green "Connected" chip confirms the link.
  2. Let the tracker warm up. If the tracker is still cold it warms up first — just wait for it to finish.
  3. Set the home position. Place the SMR (the mirror ball) directly in front of the tracker and press "Confirm Home Position". Live X/Y/Z coordinates appear once the tracker is tracking it.
  4. Record three base corners. Move the SMR to each of the three corners of the Robot base in turn and press "Record Position". If tracking is lost, return the SMR to home and continue.
  5. Let the base transform compute. After the third corner the base-to-tracker transform is computed and you see "Base registration complete" with its RMSE. The tracker is now ready to measure.

Step 3 — Calibration​

With the sensor and camera ready, you run the calibration itself. What happens here depends on whether a calibration Flow has already been set up.

If a Flow has not yet been set up, you will need to create one first. Setting up a new Flow is covered in its own dedicated section, so follow that section to define the Flow before returning here.

If a Flow already exists, simply run it. The system will execute the configured routine and collect the data it needs to calculate the calibration.

Step 4 — Validation​

The final step is to confirm the calibration is good before it takes effect. Review the results the system presents and verify they meet your expectations. Once you are satisfied that the calibration is correct, apply it so it becomes active on the Robot.

If the results do not look right, do not apply them. Go back through the earlier steps, check the camera image and sensor selection, and run the calibration again before validating.