Video will appear after the Forum
Date: 03/20/2026
About this Forum:
Industrial robot arms are typically very precise but not inherently accurate, largely due to idealized kinematic models, link tolerances, assembly variation, encoder mastering offsets, and structural deformation. For hands-on hardware users, that gap shows up as missed features, path drift, tedious touch-ups, and time spent re-teaching points. This talk presents a practical calibration workflow that directly addresses those realities. By moving the robot through a series of poses, measuring true end-effector positions with a coordinate measuring machine (CMM), and optimizing Denavit–Hartenberg parameters against real data, the robot’s internal model is tuned to match its physical build. Using a CMM—rather than a large laser tracker—enables high-accuracy measurement, better base-frame definition, and an economical setup well suited to compact, high-precision robots.
The results are meaningful at the bench and on the production floor. Mean positioning error drops from roughly half a millimeter to under 0.1 mm, and peak-to-peak path error improves from 200–400 µm down to ~75 µm—an improvement of 2.6–5×. In practice, this translates to cleaner dispensing paths, easier integration with vision systems, more reliable optical alignment using force sensors, and less trial-and-error when dialing in fixtures. Calibration also simplifies maintenance: robots referenced to a common base frame require far less re-teaching when swapped. For teams building precision assemblies, optics platforms, or tightly toleranced automation cells, calibrated accuracy turns a precise robot into a predictable and production-ready tool.
The Rodgers RLE Forum is a time to appreciate and learn from examples of impactful engineering. The laboratory hosts these opportunities for engagement in support of its mission to serve as a cutting-edge hub for advancing and sharing knowledge and best practices in high-performance prototyping.
About the presenters:
As the Solutions Group Manager at Mecademic, Gabriel Boucher bridges the gap between complex robotic theory and industrial application. He holds an M.Sc. in Robotics from Laval University, with a specialized research background in the kinematics and dynamics of parallel and serial manipulators.
Gabriel developed Mecademic’s proprietary kinematic calibration method, a core innovation that significantly enhances the accuracy of the robots. While he specializes in solving the most demanding high-precision challenges for customers, his extensive experience with general robotic integration and collaborative platforms allows him to provide comprehensive technical leadership across various automation environments.
Mecademic designs and manufactures the world’s most compact and precise industrial robots, built entirely in Montreal. Its ready-to-use robotic arms enable manufacturers and system integrators to automate complex processes in tight spaces without compromising performance or reliability. With a focus on precision robotics and micron-level automation, Mecademic empowers industries including medical devices, electronics, photonics, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing to achieve new levels of repeatability and efficiency without compromising space.