Search results

1 – 10 of over 8000
Article
Publication date: 1 June 1995

J F Quinet

Examines the background of off‐line programming for robots and thefailure of many simulation robotics programs to become effective industrialrobot programs. Looks at the need for…

Abstract

Examines the background of off‐line programming for robots and the failure of many simulation robotics programs to become effective industrial robot programs. Looks at the need for the production cell to be identical to the simulation model and the questions to be considered for successful programming. Discusses the development and methods of robot calibration and the identification of errors. Concludes that with the development of dynamic control and measurements systems for industrial robot performance it has been possible to develop efficient methods to calibrate complete robotics cells under industrial systems.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 22 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 July 2020

André Luiz Castro, João Pedro Carvalho de Souza, Luís F. Rocha and Manuel F. Silva

This paper aims to propose an automated framework for agile development and simulation of robotic palletizing cells. An automatic offline programming tool, for a variety of robot…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an automated framework for agile development and simulation of robotic palletizing cells. An automatic offline programming tool, for a variety of robot brands, is also introduced.

Design/methodology/approach

This framework, named AdaptPack Studio, offers a custom-built library to assemble virtual models of palletizing cells, quick connect these models by drag and drop, and perform offline programming of robots and factory equipment in short steps.

Findings

Simulation and real tests performed showed an improvement in the design, development and operation of robotic palletizing systems. The AdaptPack Studio software was tested and evaluated in a pure simulation case and in a real-world scenario. Results have shown to be concise and accurate, with minor model displacement inaccuracies because of differences between the virtual and real models.

Research limitations/implications

An intuitive drag and drop layout modeling accelerates the design and setup of robotic palletizing cells and automatic offline generation of robot programs. Furthermore, A* based algorithms generate collision-free trajectories, discretized both in the robot joints space and in the Cartesian space. As a consequence, industrial solutions are available for production in record time, increasing the competitiveness of companies using this tool.

Originality/value

The AdaptPack Studio framework includes, on a single package, the possibility to program, simulate and generate the robot code for four different brands of robots. Furthermore, the application is tailored for palletizing applications and specifically includes the components (Building Blocks) of a particular company, which allows a very fast development of new solutions. Furthermore, with the inclusion of the Trajectory Planner, it is possible to automatically develop robot trajectories without collisions.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 47 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1995

G Wittenberg

Outlines the developments and benefits of Off‐line programmingfor robots. Discusses the importance of accurate calibration and themeasurements devices available. Looks at the…

691

Abstract

Outlines the developments and benefits of Off‐line programming for robots. Discusses the importance of accurate calibration and the measurements devices available. Looks at the various software packages for creating and simulating robot programs and discusses the concept of “open systems” which allow the user to the exploit the facilities of the software. Gives examples of software used in robotic arc‐welding systems. Ends with a brief look at application‐specific developments in simulation and Off‐line programming packages.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 22 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 1995

Emma C Morley and Chanan S Syan

Examines the results of a questionnaire‐based survey on the useof teach pendants with industrial robots. The main aims of the survey were toascertain the following: extent of use…

1146

Abstract

Examines the results of a questionnaire‐based survey on the use of teach pendants with industrial robots. The main aims of the survey were to ascertain the following: extent of use of teach pendants with industrial robots; methods of robot programming used; possible difficulties of using teach pendants; and the future for teach pendants. Outlines the structure of the survey and evaluates the results from the questionnaire. Concludes that teach pendants are still one of the principal means of programming a robot and that difficulties controlling the motion of robots with teach pendants need to be addressed.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 22 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1996

Peter Sorenti

Gives an example of the use of offline 3‐D graphical simulation to assist in program generation for a robot palletizing operation, a technique which is proving increasingly cost…

234

Abstract

Gives an example of the use of offline 3‐D graphical simulation to assist in program generation for a robot palletizing operation, a technique which is proving increasingly cost effective. Describes GRASP, the 3‐D graphical simulation tool for robotics applications whose special palletizing module was employed, and reports on the successful outcome. Claims that GRASP has enabled verified robot programs to be generated which can be produced in less than a day, saving more than two days over the manual programming approach and reducing cell downtime from three days to less than two hours.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 23 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 1994

Jack Hollingum

A report from a meeting of the Institution of Electrical Engineers atwhich the problem was considered of the shortfall between robot simulation inthe design office and the reality…

287

Abstract

A report from a meeting of the Institution of Electrical Engineers at which the problem was considered of the shortfall between robot simulation in the design office and the reality of the robot in operation on factory floor Discusses the importance of cell calibration if Off‐line programming is to be effective and the need for more accurate programming with modules that precisely simulate the motion behaviour of robots.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 21 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2000

Ken Young and Craig G. Pickin

The main drawback to programming robots offline lies in the poor accuracy of the robot. Robots are mainly programmed using the traditional teach and repeat method of programming

1655

Abstract

The main drawback to programming robots offline lies in the poor accuracy of the robot. Robots are mainly programmed using the traditional teach and repeat method of programming which requires only good repeatability. As a result robots are manufactured with this in mind. Little is done to improve or even quote figures for the accuracy, which is generally regarded as being poor. A trial has been conducted on three modern serial linkage robots to assess and compare robot accuracy. Using a laser interferometry measurement system each robot has been measured in a similar area of its working envelope. The results and conclusions from this trial show that compared to older robots the accuracy can be remarkably good though it is dependent on a calibration process which is far from robust.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 27 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 March 2019

Filipe Monteiro Ribeiro, J. Norberto Pires and Amin S. Azar

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies have recently turned into a mainstream production method in many industries. The adoption of new manufacturing scenarios led to the…

1749

Abstract

Purpose

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies have recently turned into a mainstream production method in many industries. The adoption of new manufacturing scenarios led to the necessity of cross-disciplinary developments by combining several fields such as materials, robotics and computer programming. This paper aims to describe an innovative solution for implementing robotic simulation for AM experiments using a robot cell, which is controlled through a system control application (SCA).

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, the emulation of the AM tasks was executed by creating a robot working station in RoboDK software, which is responsible for the automatic administration of additive tasks. This is done by interpreting gcode from the Slic3r software environment. Posteriorly, all the SCA and relevant graphical user interface (GUI) were developed in Python to control the AM tasks from the RoboDK software environment. As an extra feature, Slic3r was embedded in the SCA to enable the generation of gcode automatically, without using the original user interface of the software. To sum up, this paper adds a new insight in the field of AM as it demonstrates the possibility of simulating and controlling AM tasks into a robot station.

Findings

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the AM field by introducing and implementing an SCA capable of executing/simulating robotic AM tasks. It also shows how an advanced user can integrate advanced simulation technologies with a real AM system, creating in this way a powerful system for R&D and operational manufacturing tasks. As demonstrated, the creation of the AM environment was only possible by using the RoboDk software that allows the creation of a robot working station and its main operations.

Originality/value

Although the AM simulation was satisfactory, it was necessary to develop an SCA capable of controlling the whole simulation through simple commands instructed by users. As described in this work, the development of SCA was entirely implemented in Python by using official libraries. The solution was presented in the form of an application capable of controlling the AM operation through a server/client socket connection. In summary, a system architecture that is capable of controlling an AM simulation was presented. Moreover, implementation of commands in a simple GUI was shown as a step forward in implementation of modern AM process controls.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 46 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 1999

Marcelo H. Ang, Wei Lin and Ser‐Yong Lim

Automating the welding process for the shipbuilding industry is very challenging and important, as this industry relies heavily on quality welds. Conventional robotic welding…

3140

Abstract

Automating the welding process for the shipbuilding industry is very challenging and important, as this industry relies heavily on quality welds. Conventional robotic welding systems are seldom used because the welding tasks in shipyards are characterised by non‐standardised workpieces which are large but small in batch sizes. Furthermore, geometries and locations of the workpieces are uncertain. To tackle the problem, a Ship Welding Robot System (SWERS) has been developed for the welding process. The main features of the SWERS include a special teaching procedure that allows the human user to teach the robot welding paths at a much easier and faster pace. In addition, operation of the system is made easier through a custom designed man‐machine interface. Through this interface, only a few buttons need to be pressed to command the robot into different modes. Optimised welding parameters can be selected from a large database through a Graphical User Interface system.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 26 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 1996

John Owens

Describes the approach adapted by Robot Simulations Ltd in their development of successive versions of the Workspace software package, namely to place the emphasis on using the…

350

Abstract

Describes the approach adapted by Robot Simulations Ltd in their development of successive versions of the Workspace software package, namely to place the emphasis on using the knowledge of the geometry of the parts and machines in a production cell to automate those aspects of the traditional design method that can be performed by the computer. Also describes how some of the task planning tools embedded within robot simulation can work and what they can deliver in terms of shortening the design time of a production cell and improving the speed and quality of the production process.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 23 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 8000