Robots were first introduced to manufacturing production lines in 1978. Since then, the hardware (mechanics and control systems) have improved significantly. Yet the way different robots are programmed has not changed very much. The vast majority of jobs still use manual programming. However, new offline robot programming (OLP) tools are rapidly changing and being adopted.
If we look closely at manufacturing, oftentimes many different pieces of equipment and technology are used to get the job done. CNC machines, for example, were introduced to achieve high-precision machining and reduce the number of workers needed to do the physical work. Because the CNC was initially programmed manually on a controller, it was only as precise as the programmer who wrote the program.
Over time, the programming of CNCs was made more efficient by leveraging offline programming software to generate the g-code required to operate these machines. This led to increased accuracy, reduction of machine downtime, production of more complex parts, profitability in high-mix low-volume production runs, elimination of human error, and overall reduction in manufacturing costs.
Nowadays, manual CNC programming is exclusively reserved for programming very basic work in high-volume production runs. The use of powerful and easy-to-use offline software to program CNC machines has become the standard in the CNC world.
Robotic systems are no different. Initially, the only way to program robots was through manual programming on a controller or teach pendant. However, for similar reasons, this traditional programming method in majority of cases has been displaced by robot simulation and programming software. There are three main ways to program robots:
This programming method involves using the teach pendant. A control box is used to program the motions of the robot. You move the robot arm into each desired position and then save the position as a point in the program. The output is a program in the brand-specific programming language of the robot arm.
Traditional programming method
Comes with the robot arm therefore no additional investment needed
Subject to human error and inaccurate results
Increases robot downtime as the robot is taken away from production during programming
Requires robotics and programming expertise
Requires a learning curve for each robot brand, as each robot controller functions differently
Certain robots are capable of being programmed by physically moving the robot arm and logging each position into the teach pendant. This is generally only an option for collaborative robots (robots designed to work safely alongside humans).
Lack of precision
Not ideal for all robotic applications
Time-consuming for complex parts / programming time
Increases robot downtime as the robot is taken away from production during programming
Not a viable programming method for most industrial robots
The latest technology created to program industrial robots is offline programming (OLP) software. Similar to using CNC software to program a CNC machine, OLP software is the ideal programming method to program industrial robot arms.
How does it work? Offline robot simulation and programming software enables the user to program the robot on a computer, independently of the physical robot, rather than taking the robot away from production. By importing the CAD model of the part, the software can automatically generate the path trajectories and create the program in a matter of minutes. OLP software also provides program optimization and validation through the simulation/virtual environment that matches the real-world physical robot cell to ensure the generated program is error- and collision-free.
Powerful and simple to use, quick program generation
Can be brand agnostic providing one software solution for all robot brands
High level of accuracy can be achieved
No programming or robotics expertise required
Reduction of robot downtime and increase in production time
Powerful offline programming software is an additional cost
Requires the use of a computer
Today, industrial automation is the sweeping trend in the manufacturing world. It delivers the promise of producing more, with higher accuracy and in a fraction of the time. The supply chain disruption and severe labor shortage have further expedited the push towards automation.
Robots are key to automation. They are being used in a wide spectrum of applications, from simple pick-and-place to complex 3D manufacturing processes such as cutting, polishing, grinding, machining, and 3D printing. Furthermore, an increasing number of manufacturing facilities are producing low-volume batches of many different parts. These opposing needs cannot be fulfilled by manual teaching anymore. Only good offline programming software can harness the full potential of robots in your facility.
Software has proven to be the game-changing component in the world of CNC programming, and the same is the case in the world of industrial robots. Choosing the right software can have a very strong return on investment.
Are you using the best programming method for your robots? If you wish to talk with one of our experts regarding your robotic application to determine the best way to program your industrial robot arm, contact us.
Robotmaster®, a Hypertherm brand, is an offline programming software for robots that helps manufacturers maximize productivity on production runs of all sizes. Robotmaster makes programming parts of any complexity quick and easy as a result of its integrated CAD/CAM functionality. This intuitive and powerful solution is designed with process experts in mind reducing the need for programmers and robotic expertise.
