X-Ray Detector Robotic Handling

This robotic system is intended to the high stability and absolute positioning of the detector, in order to observe diffraction patterns. The robot can move the detector around a full sphere (=500 mm) centred on the sample, so as to identify a direction of interest for the diffraction. Then the robot moves the detector in the identified direction, up to 5 m away from the sample, so as to collect high resolution diffraction patterns. This experimental set-up is performed automatically with a very high accuracy and reliability. The robotic platform is made up with a last generation robotic arm Stäubli TX2 integrated onto a horizontal translation stage built on granite blocks for optimal mechanical performances (repeatability and stability). The data acquisition is synchronized with the robotic system motions and the detector is equipped with sensitive skin panels for safety reasons.