Development of an algorithm for validation and optimization of temperature measurements

A novel robotic system integrating thermal history instrumentation with an industrial-grade robot is currently being developed by SCS. The system is envisioned to perform autonomous thermal measurements on engine components of different shapes and sizes. The objective of this work is to develop an algorithm for the validation and the optimization of the achievable signal. The acquired signal is investigated through different alignments and clearances between the robot's tool and the measurement spot. The measurement's quality is related to characteristic parameters of the signal. Results of the analysis are used to develop the main algorithm. Communication lines, between the robot and the thermal history instrumentation, are exploited for the transmission of a valid flag, useful to the robot to decide whenever to undertake the optimization process. Thanks to an offline scheduling process, different alignments for a unique location, are simulated and translated in robot language. An optimization process is designed, based on the maximization of the acquired intensity among different alignments. Moreover, a novel workflow is proposed for the generation of the thermal map of a component. Demonstrative tests are carried out on a simple geometry and in a complex component. The successful implementation of the algorithm improves the quality of the measurements. Depending on the component complexity, major improvements from a non-optimized process are achievable. The user is provided with a powerful tool for the validation of a measurement, exploitable also from other automation systems.