Both custom tools and macros allow to automate more complex robot tasks and adapt the basic robotic hardware to your needs.

RoboDK offers various features for creating powerful robot macros. With these, you can take your robot deployments to new heights by adding extra functionality that would not be available otherwise. And with its support for custom tools, there’s no limit to the accessories you can add to your robot.

Here’s how you can harness the power of custom macros and tools:

The Role of Robot Macros in Streamlining Complex Tasks

In the context of industrial robotics, a macro is essentially a pre-defined sequence of commands or scripts that allows you to automate complex programming tasks.

A macro script will, for example, convert a specific input or robot command into a desired output. They can be used to control the simulated robot within RoboDK or the physical robot in your workspace.

An example could be using a robot arm for a welding task. Macros could automate the arm’s motion along the desired welding path, operate a specific welding tool, and even adjust welding parameters on the fly to accommodate more complex welding operations.

Creating Your First Robot Macro in RoboDK

How can you create a macro for your robot application within RoboDK.

Here is the process that you can take:

1. Create your simulation without the macro first. Use as much of the basic RoboDK functionality as you can, to identify where a custom macro is really required. You may find that you don’t need a macro, as RoboDK has an impressive range of in-built functionality.
2. Choose your programming language. You can program macros in RoboDK using whichever programming language you are most comfortable using. RoboDK’s API seamlessly integrates with popular languages like Python, C#, C++, and Matlab.
3. Create and optimize your macro scripts. Create a macro script that carries out your desired functionality. Keep it simple — you only want to add the functionality that is really required.
4. Activate and thoroughly test the macro. Load the macro into the RoboDK simulation environment and put it through its paces. You will probably need to tweak the script to get it ready.
5. Continuously improve. The most useful macros are those that have been optimized over time. Where possible, improve existing macros when you notice ways you could improve them.

Custom Tools: An Essential Asset in RoboDK

A related concept within RoboDK is custom tools. These allow you to add any tool or end effector to your robot application.

There are too many robot tools on the market to incorporate all of them in our Robot Library. By providing this method to integrate custom tools, we have opened up any tool to the power of RoboDK… even tools that you have custom designed yourself for your application!

You can find a complete guide to adding custom tools in our article The 5 Minute Guide to Use Any End Effector with RoboDK.

7 Example Macros to Help You Get Started

It’s easier to understand what you can achieve with macros when you see ones that already exist.

Macro functionality can be complex, such as running entire routines with your robot, or simple, such as turning on a single output to activate a tool.

Here are just 7 of the many macros that are included in RoboDK:

1. CameraLiveStream — This macro demonstrates some of the basic functionalities to handle 2D cameras with the RoboDK API, such as setting camera parameters and displaying a live stream.
2. DoPointWeld — This macro simulates a spot weld gun, allowing you to turn the gun on and off. This is ideal for welding applications such as those in automotive manufacturing.
3. Draw_SVG — This macro programs a robot to draw a picture using an SVG image file as an input. This can be especially useful when you are designing personalized products for your customers.
4. MirrorRealRobot — This macro creates a bridge that moves the physical robot to match your simulated robot. For example, you can use it to control your robot with a 3D mouse or other input device.
5. SetTool_ID — This simple macro updates the robot’s tool to a given identification number that you pass as an argument. One use case is in CNC machining, where tool changes are frequent.
6. SpindleOn — This macro allows you to add a trace or spray deposition for surface coating of materials. It activates the spindle.
7. WaitDI — This macro simulates the waiting for a virtual input that would be a physical wait in a physical task.

These are just a few examples of robot macros that already exist in RoboDK. As you can see, there is a wide range of uses for such a simple programming concept.

The Intersection of Robot Macros and Custom Tools: A Paradigm Shift in Industrial Robotics

Both robot macros and custom tools are simple but immensely powerful concepts that can bring your robot deployments to another level.

By combining the two concepts, you can build robot applications that incorporate any functionality that you need.

If you are not sure how to program a particular macro functionality, a good place to start is in our RoboDK documentation which includes extensive instructions to guide you through the process. There is also a helpful section on adding custom tools.

If you are stuck and have any questions about developing scripts, a good place to add your question is in the RoboDK Forum where a community of robot programmers are waiting to help.

What functionality would you like to add with a macro or custom tool? Tell us in the comments below or join the discussion on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or in the RoboDK Forum.. Also, check out our extensive video collection and subscribe to the RoboDK YouTube Channel

The post How to Create Powerful Robot Macros and Custom Tools in RoboDK appeared first on RoboDK blog.

As a beginner, you may be uncertain which programming option is best for you. This KUKA robot programming guide will help you to get started quickly and easily.

KUKA robots are some of the most popular robots in the world. KUKA is often listed as one of the “Big 4” robotic companies (ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa, and Fanuc).

Whether you are a complete beginner to robot programming or you have just not used KUKAs before, this guide will give you the essential knowledge you need to get up and running.

A Common Misconception About KUKA Programming

New robot users often mistakenly assume that they must program their KUKA using the default options provided by the manufacturer.

Usually, this means using the teach pendant or KUKA’s text-based programming language. As we will explain in a moment, there are often better methods for beginners to KUKA programming.

Two major problems that arise by sticking with the default programming methods are:

1. It ties you into using only one brand of robot. Even if you only use KUKA robots right now, you will likely want to explore other brands in the future. Ideally, you want a programming method that works for many brands, not just KUKA.
2. There is a steep learning curve. KUKA’s teach pendant programming has certainly improved over the years. But, it still relies on a lot of button pressing or arduous touchscreen navigation, jogging (manually moving the robot with buttons), and text-based programming. This requires extensive training and experience.

There are more intuitive ways to program a KUKA robot that are easily accessible to beginners…

Online vs Offline Programming Methods

Two terms you might not be very familiar with are “online programming” and “offline programming.”

Online programming requires that the robot is physically present when you are programming it. This reduces the productivity of the robot as it has to come out of production whenever you want to improve the program or develop another application.

Offline programming means that you create the program first then upload it to the robot only when it is ready. If you are using text-based programming, such as with KRL, you still have to do extensive debugging with the robot online. But, with graphical offline programming, you debug the program first in a simulated environment, which improves the robot’s productivity.

You can learn more about the difference between the two methods in our previous article.

6 Proven Ways to Program a KUKA Robot

As with any programming task, there are various options for programming a KUKA robot. Some of these are only suited to experienced robot programmers. Others are ideal for both beginners and robotics experts.

5 proven methods of programming a KUKA are:

1. KUKA teach pendant — The standard option for KUKA programming is the teach pendant that comes shipped with the robot. There have been various versions of this over the years including the KRC2, KRC4, and smartPAD. This online programming method requires significant training and programming can be a laborious process.
2. KUKA Robot Language (KRL) — Every robot manufacturer has its own proprietary programming language. For KUKA, this means the KRL programming language. Based on Pascal, this offline programming language requires a high level of expertise.
3. Hand guiding — Hand guiding involves adding extra controllers and/or sensors to the end of the robot that allow you to move it by hand. KUKA’s version of this is ready2_pilot, which uses a type of 6D joystick. Although more intuitive than the teach pendant, it has a downside of being an online programming method so reduces the robot’s productivity.
4. Graphical offline programming — A graphical offline programming software combines the productivity advantages of an offline programming system with the intuitiveness of a graphical system. RoboDK is simple enough to use that beginners can simulate robots from any manufacturer by following 5 simple steps. It’s also compatible with over 50 robot brands.
5. Your favorite programming language — If you are already an experienced programmer, you might wonder if you can use your preferred programming language to program your KUKA robot as well. This is possible with the RoboDK API which takes your code and converts it into instructions that the KUKA controller can understand.
6. An intuitive handheld probe — A final option is to use a handheld probe, such as the RoboDK TwinTrack, which allows you to program the robot using your own hand and arm. This is even more intuitive than hand guiding and has the added benefit that it can be used as either an offline or an online programming method.

What’s the Best Way to Program Your KUKA Robot?

With so many options for programming KUKA robots, you might be wondering which one you should choose!

Each programming method has its pros and cons. But, as a beginner, you should be looking for options that make life easier for you both in the short term and the long term.

Your programming methods should allow you to get up and running with your KUKA robot as soon as possible. You also want to learn methods that will be applicable for different robot brands.

For these reasons, it’s best to go with the programming method that will be most intuitive for you right from the start.

If you’re an experienced programmer, this might mean using your favorite programming language. However, in most cases, a method like graphical offline programming or a handheld probe will be the best option for beginners looking to get started quickly.

How to Program a KUKA Robot Quickly and Easily

With the right programming tool, you can start programming your KUKA robot within a matter of minutes.

You don’t even need to have the physical robot in front of you!

When you download the free RoboDK trial, you can load your chosen KUKA model from the integrated robot library and get started programming immediately.

What questions do you have about KUKA programming that this guide didn’t cover? Tell us in the comments below or join the discussion on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or in the RoboDK Forum.

The post The KUKA Robot Programming Guide for Beginners appeared first on RoboDK blog.

When we think of handmade products, we often imagine custom-built, highly-intricate items where each piece is necessarily unique. However, many products are handmade just because the production numbers aren’t high enough to warrant using full automation.

In this case study, we show how one group of researchers into industrial plastics used a robot and RoboDK to automate a small-batch manufacturing process.

The problem with many forms of automation is that they require you to have a consistent process running at high throughput. Without this, it often doesn’t make sense to invest in automation as you can’t be confident that you will achieve a return on investment.

When you’ve got a smaller batch project, you might wonder if it’s even possible to automate.

This is the problem that one group of researchers in industrial plastics addressed with their latest robotics project. They were looking for a small, cost-effective way to automate the assembly of plastic hula-hoop toys.

Introducing… ATS2i

The researchers of the French company “Applications Thermoplastiques et Solutions Industrielles Innovantes” (ATS2i) carried out this project. It was led by engineer Alexandre Temporel, who has been working in industrial plastics for over 15 years.

The company specializes in the design and engineering of innovative industrial projects, with specific expertise in the plastics industry. They incorporate a diverse range of manufacturing technologies, including 3D printing, machining, and CNC.

ATS2i looks at projects across the whole life cycle of industrial projects, from research and development and feasibility studies all the way up to design and prototyping.

Part of their scope as a company is to help others to modernize their existing industrial machines through advanced automation.

This is where their hula-hoop robotics project comes in.

The Project: Hula-Hoop Production

The project in question involved the production of plastic hula-hoop toys. This is a good example of a task that is usually carried out by hand in many situations when small batch sizes are required.

The team at ATS2i created their setup as a test to see if robotics could be used to easily automate the assembly stage of hula-hoop production.

What Are Hula-Hoops?

If you’re not familiar with hula-hoop toys, here is a primer…

Hula-hoops have been used as toys for over 2,500 years. To use the hoop, you spin it around your waist, limbs, or neck. Children use them for games and adults as a form of exercise or entertainment. Although hula-hoops have a long history, they significantly rose to popularity in the 1950s.

Most modern hula-hoops are made from plastic tubing, though they were traditionally made from willow, bamboo, or stiff grass.

The Complexity of Manufacturing a Hula-Hoop

As a piece of engineering, hula-hoops are very simple to make. The plastic tube is bent into a circle and the ends are attached together, usually by inserting a double-ended dowel plug.

While they are simple to produce, hula-hoops are not always manufactured at high volume. Unlike the mass-produced versions, smaller artisan makers produce them in small batches.

The task of connecting the ends of the hoops together is a good candidate for automation.

It is a good example of a task that is often required in other areas of plastic manufacturing.

The Robotic Application: Hula-Hoop Assembly

The team’s project involved a simple use of a collaborative robot. As a result, the team performed the task in the workshop without the need for extra safety measures like fencing or safety sensors.

The setup and manufacturing process were reasonably straightforward.

The Robotic Setup

The setup consisted of the following:

• A Universal Robots UR5 collaborative robot.
• An OnRobot gripper.
• RoboDK for robot programming.
• A roll bender jig for bending the plastic tubes.

The team integrated these components into a single robotic cell that took up only as much space as a tabletop.

The Manufacturing Process

The process to create a hula-hoop involved aspects of machine tending (to tend the roll bender) and assembly.

The steps were as follows:

1. Pick up and bend the tube into the roll bender, assuring a 1.5 mm protrusion.
2. Align the ends.
3. Insert the heated glass, useful to melt the ends of the plastic tube.
4. Press the ends of the tube together, fixing them.
5. Wait for the plastic to cool before removing it from the machine.

Programming the Robot with RoboDK

Alexandre Temporel and his team decided to use RoboDK to program the robot. The software is compatible out-of-the-box with UR robots and useful for tasks such as this one.

They first created the setup within the software. With RoboDK’s capability to easily add 3D models, they were also able to add a model of the roll bender. This made it easier to align the robot correctly with the machine.

Given the flexible nature of the plastic tubes, they decided that it made sense not to simulate the hula-hoops in the software. It would only add complexity to the simulation and was unnecessary to create a good program.

You can see the results of their work in this video:

How to Draw Lessons from This for Your Own Application

There are many ways to utilize robotics in your process that don’t require you to go all out and automate everything.

This case study from ATS2i is a good example of an application that is easy to deploy and relieves a repetitive task for small-batch manufacturing.

You might even argue that the product remains essentially handmade as the robot is doing the same job the human would in the same circumstances — i.e. tending the roll bender.

What small-batch task would you like to automate? Tell us in the comments below or join the discussion on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or in the RoboDK Forum.

The post Automate Handmade Products with a Robot? appeared first on RoboDK blog.

Then everything changed.

The global pandemic flipped our world sideways.

But, there is a silver lining. Robotics looks set to thrive in a post-crisis world.

It’s difficult to live through a crisis. As I write this, we are in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic that has ground to a halt the world and economy — we don’t yet know what the long term effects will be.

But, living through any crisis is tough.

In a crisis…

We become unsure of the stability of our businesses.

We need to provide optimism to our teams when everyone is fearful.

Finally, we need to become the calm, certain voice in the midst of all the uncertainty.

In a crisis, our tendency is often to “batten down the hatches” (as they say in the navy) and just hide until it all “blows over.”

In a crisis, most people are not thinking about automation…

… but perhaps they should be. Robotics could be the key to surviving in manufacturing during hard times.

Is Now Really the Time to Think About Automation?

At a time when the market and/or our business is plunged into uncertainty, the idea of investing in a lot of new technology probably seems like a risky strategy.

You might be thinking “I can’t make any decisions on robotic automation right now.”

Like many of us, you might be looking at the situation in the manufacturing world and thinking “I’m going to see how this all pans out before I do anything.”

And, you might be right. Investing big in robotic technology right now might be a risky strategy, depending on when you are reading this article…

If you are reading this when everything is still very uncertain (as is the case at the time I’m writing it), nobody knows what’s going to happen when the crisis passes. Everyone is just waiting and, as a result, we have to wait too.

However, if you’re reading this after a couple of weeks or months, when we’re starting to understand the impact of that crisis, you’re in a great position to set yourself up for success in the coming year.

You have the power to put yourself and your manufacturing business into a strong position to rocket to success.

And robotics looks set to be a winning technology for those of us who want to skyrocket into a quick and effective recovery.

How to Think About Robotics at a Time Like This

The key to success in a time of crisis is to change how we’re thinking. Right now, many manufacturers are struggling because they’re trying to find short-term solutions to avoid failure.

As many experts are saying right now: in a crisis, think long term.

There is great wisdom to this advice. Back in 2008, at the peak of the global financial crisis, those businesses who were able to take a long-term view were those who ultimately got their head above water much quicker.

Although it seems counterintuitive to many, investing in the long term (e.g. thinking “Where do we want to be a year from now?”) is the way to ensure your manufacturing business doesn’t join the hoards of companies who will be flailing around trying to catch up when things start to pick up again.

And, robotics is one of the proven technologies that helps with a long-term view.

Even though you might not actually purchase your robotic equipment right now, it’s a great time to start thinking about how you could incorporate robotic automation into your operations.

5 Reasons Robotic Manufacturing Can Thrive in a Crisis Now

There are various reasons that robotics can help manufacturers to come out on top in a crisis now.

1. Robots Can Do Things That Others Can’t

The Robot Report recently published a list of amazing robot applications which have been used to handle the situation after the outbreak of COVID-19.

These include things like disinfection drones in Hong Kong, healthcare automation in Beijing, and telepresence robots in New York. As the article explains “The novel coronavirus has increased interest in robots, drones, and artificial intelligence.”

2. Bigger Demand for Automation

We have been seeing an increased interest in automation for some time now. Over the last 5 years, manufacturers have begun to look for ways that they can use automation to improve productivity, efficiency, and product quality at a lower cost. After a crisis, these benefits become even more important. They could make or break a business.

3. Manufacturers Looking to Reduce Hands-on Work

The demand for automation has gone hand-in-hand with the fact that many manufacturers are looking to cut down hands-on work where possible. Over the past couple of years, robots have begun to replace manual workers in some tasks, with the manual workers moving to more rewarding, intellectual tasks in the business.

Those manufacturers who are already using robotics are in a good position to keep production moving through the tough situation.

4. Move to More Remote Working

One of the immediate effects of the COVID-19 crisis was the sudden move to remote working and away from physical business locations. This is obviously challenging for manufacturers who need to be physically located in their workshops and factories.

In a more remote world, robotics can become a bridge between the virtual and the physical world. With a good robot simulator, you can work on your robot setup without having to be physically present.

5. The Long Term View Wins

Ultimately, the path to continued success during a crisis is to build the foundations for the future. Quick wins are hard when everything is uncertain, but a long term strategy can become very strong if it is started when times are tough.

Robotics is set to be one of the foundational tools for success in this rapidly changing world. If you choose to join the many manufacturers who have already got started with automation, you can thrive in a crisis world.

What concerns do you have about the current situation? Tell us in the comments below or join the discussion on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or in the RoboDK Forum.

The post 5 Ways Robotic Manufacturing Can Help in a Crisis World appeared first on RoboDK blog.

If you asked me to pick one word to describe the manufacturing landscape as we enter this new decade, the word “unpredictable” seems quite apt.

There’s a feeling of uncertainty in the manufacturing world at the moment. But, uncertainty doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

Unpredictability is why agile manufacturing has become one of the competitive advantages for 2020.

Agile manufacturing can be defined as:

“The capability of surviving and prospering in a competitive environment of continuous and unpredictable change by reacting quickly and effectively to changing markets, driven by customer-designed products and services.”

Traditional manufacturing was never agile. The manufacturing processes that began at the start of the industrial revolution were built around the ideas of mass production, stable supply lines, and market monopolies. These processes have worked well over the last 200 years, but things have changed recently.

These days, manufacturing businesses need to react much quicker to changes in the market than they have ever done before.

How can you react quickly? By being agile.

5 Market Challenges for 2020 That Necessitate Agility

According to a special report by IndustryWeek, several market challenges are coming together right now to necessitate more agile manufacturing:

1. Market volatility — There is a lot of movement in the market right now. Supply chains are volatile, trade is uncertain, and consumer’s preferences are changing at an alarming rate. Manufacturers who can respond quickly are able to “ride” these changes much better than others.
2. Costs — material, labor, and transportation/logistics — Costs are always going to affect a manufacturing business. However, the aforementioned volatility means that many manufacturers are being challenged by costs on all fronts right now.
3. Price reduction pressures — Many manufacturers (particularly those generating over $100 million in revenue) are concerned by pressures to reduce prices. Any technology that can reduce production costs — without compromising quality — can only be a good thing.
4. Regulations — environmental, labor, and business — The drive towards more sustainable businesses is certainly a good thing, but it can have its challenges. The need to keep up with changing regulations is placing a lot of pressure on some manufacturers.
5. Global market — competition, geopolitical risks, and expansion — One of the biggest causes of the current uncertainty in manufacturing is the changing situation in the global market. Manufacturers have to keep up with both local and global trends. They need the ability to change their processes quickly to respond.

None of these challenges is entirely new for 2020, but they seem to be coming to a head right now in the manufacturing sector.

How Robots Can Help You Stay Agile

There are various ways that you can make your manufacturing business more agile, including: streamlining your processes, updating old technology, improving the speed of management decisions, etc.

But, robotics is increasingly becoming one of the “go-to” ways that manufacturing businesses, both small and large, are able to keep up in the changing world. Unlike the inflexible robots of the past, modern industrial robots have the capability to be very agile.

Robots? Agile? Really?

As researchers from the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) explain, robots are not traditionally considered agile. Until recently, industrial robots were only suited to highly structured, repeatable tasks which did not vary much over long production runs.

In other words, traditional robots were only suitable for mass production.

The problem with mass production is that it is, by nature, not agile. For the last decade or so, the market has moved towards an opposite paradigm — mass customization. There is an increasing demand for personalized products and our production technologies need to be able to handle this demand.

Modern robots actually fit in with the paradigm of mass customization very well.

With the right programming software, robots are easy and quick to reprogram without causing unnecessary downtime. This makes them well suited to the needs of agile manufacturing.

The 3 Key Aspects of Robot Agility

As the NIST research explains, there are three key aspects of an agile robot system:

1. The robot should be able to be switched to a new task without having to shut it down for a long period of time.
2. The robot should be able to recover from errors by itself.
3. It should be possible to quickly swap in robots from different robot manufacturers so that the company isn’t tied to a single brand.

The second of these requirements is not yet possible to achieve reliably given that it requires the robot to have advanced decision-making abilities. However, the first and third requirements can be easily achieved by using the right offline programming software.

How to Make Your Manufacturing More Agile With Robots

If agility is the way to stay competitive in the global market of the 2020s, how do you as a manufacturer set yourself up for success?

With robots, the key is to ensure that you are operating the robot in an agile way.

If You’re Not Using Robots Yet

If you are not yet using robots, an agile robot cell could be a good addition to your production this year.

The important thing is to make sure that the robot cell itself is agile. You don’t want to be stuck with an inflexible robot which is difficult to update.

You should be able to easily reprogram the robot for new tasks, switch out different robot brands, and update programs without causing unnecessary downtime.

If You’re Already Using Robots

If robots are already part of your operation, now could be a good time to reassess the agility of your current robotic setup.

Ask yourself: How easy is it for your team to update the robot’s programs?

Are there any bottlenecks in the programming process?

Are there any ways that you could improve the robot setup to make it more agile in 2020?

Agile manufacturing has become one of the competitive advantages for 2020. With the right robot setup, you can set yourself up for success in this new decade.

Which aspects of your manufacturing are not yet as agile as they could be? Tell us in the comments below or join the discussion on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or in the RoboDK Forum.

The post Agile Robots: The Secret to Manufacturing Growth in 2020 appeared first on RoboDK blog.

Over the last year or so, we have been focusing a lot of attention on creating plugins and add-ons for RoboDK. Our latest addition is VSCode, which allows you to accelerate your coding and get the benefit of the industry’s most popular IDE for robot programming.

We have focused on interoperability for one important reason — so that RoboDK is easy to slot into your software workflow. We don’t want you to have to go through a huge learning curve to get started with robot programming. You should be able to get up and running as quickly as possible.

But, what is a software workflow?

You might never have thought about your software workflows before, but we all use them. Whenever you use any software to perform a task, there is a workflow.

The path to success with robot programming is to master your workflow from the beginning.

What is a Software Workflow for Robot Programming?

We use software workflows all the time, though we don’t always think about it. I used a software workflow to write the text of this article:

1. I planned, researched then wrote it in my word-processing program.
2. Then passed it to a text editor to bulk-edit the HTML.
3. Then passed through an HTML cleaner.
4. Then copied it to the RoboDK Content Management System.

And that’s just the text. The images passed through a more complex workflow.

Whenever we pass data between software programs, we are using a workflow.

The definition of software workflow

Here is one definition of a software workflow, adapted from a definition of a workflow from Business Process Management company PNMsoft:

“Workflow is the definition, execution, and automation of software processes where tasks, information or documents are passed from one program to another for action, according to a set of procedural rules.”

This is a bit confusing so let’s break it down into pieces:

• “Definition, execution, and automation of software processes” — If you want a good software workflow, you need to actively design it, use it, then (where possible) automate it. Most of us just muddle through without ever formally defining our workflow.
• “Tasks, information or documents are passed from one program to another” — If any data passed between programs, in any format, you are using a workflow.
• “For action, according to a set of procedural rules.” — Each program will perform one or more actions on the data.

Example Workflow for Robot Machining

A robot machining project might have the following workflow:

1. Create a product design in your favorite CAD program.
2. Pass the CAD file to a CAM program to create the machine path.
3. Pass the CAM path to RoboDK for robot machining.
4. Generate the robot program in RoboDK.
5. Pass the robot program to the robot controller to run it.

3 Types of Software Interoperability in RoboDK

The key to creating an efficient software workflow is interoperability. According to ex-IBM manager Kurt Kosanke, a lack of interoperability is becoming an increasing bottleneck in companies.

When your software “plays nicely together” you can significantly speed up your robot programming. As we’ve mentioned in the past, you don’t need to change everything in your software workflow to use robots — you can just plug in RoboDK to your existing software and soon be on your way.

Here are 3 ways that RoboDK allows for easy software integration:

1. Text Editor Agnosticism

The extremely popular programming text editor VSCode now comes packaged with RoboDK, giving you access to some very powerful features when you want to edit your robot programs.

However, one huge benefit of RoboDK is that you can use whichever text editor you like. By selecting your favorite editor, you will speed up the learning process.

2. CAD/CAM Integration

Exporting files from your CAD program can be a huge pain in the neck. That’s why we’ve worked a lot to create plug-ins for the most popular CAD/CAM packages. They allow you to export models to RoboDK at the touch of a button. At the time of writing, we now have plugins for the following:

• Alphacam
• Fusion 360
• Inventor
• Mastercam
• Rhino
• SolidWorks
• TopSolid
• WorkNC

3. File Formats

Finally, you can use a range of file formats to export and import data from RoboDK. Although this is a (very) slightly more involved process than using add-ons and plugins, it means that almost any program is compatible with RoboDK.

5 Steps to Set Up a Strong Software Workflow for Robot Programming

A good software workflow comes from great planning.

Here are 5 steps you can use to design your software workflow for robot programming:

1. Write Down Your Favorite Packages and Features You’ll Need

First, note which software packages you want to continue using and the features you will need for this application.

Where possible, you will want to keep using familiar programs rather than changing to a completely new one for the same functionality.

Examples include:

• CAD programs you use to design products.
• CAD/CAM programs you use to generate machine paths.
• Text editors you use to edit code.

2. Investigate Interoperability

Find out how you can pass data between your chosen packages and RoboDK.

If you can use one of our plugins, great! If not, look at how you can export using other file types.

3. Identify the “Need to Learns”

You will probably need to learn some new functionality for your new robot application, either in RoboDK or in another package. However, you can keep these “needs to learns” to a minimum to reduce the learning curve.

Identify which functions you will need to learn from scratch. Our YouTube channel is a good place to learn RoboDK functions quickly and easily.

4. Formalize Your Workflow

When you have identified all the different components of your software workflow, take some time to draw them into a workflow diagram.

This diagram is a bit like a flowchart. It helps to formalize the process and reduces the chance that you have forgotten something. There are software tools you can use or you can just use a traditional pen and paper.

5. Use it

Your software workflow will only be useful if you actually use it!

By using your designed workflow, you can ensure that your robot programming is as efficient as possible. Every so often, check back on the workflow and see if you can make it even more efficient.

What’s your favorite software? Tell us in the comments below or join the discussion on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or in the RoboDK Forum.

The post How to Set Up a Strong, Streamlined Software Workflow appeared first on RoboDK blog.

Selecting software is difficult. We want to make sure that we pick the best package for the needs of our business. But, there are so many options out there, so much conflicting advice, and we have so little past experience to draw from.

According to researchers “Selecting the right solution is an exhausting process for companies. Improper selection may result in wrong strategic decisions with subsequent economic loss to the organization.” And it’s not just the financial cost that’s a problem. The wasted time investment can also be damaging to your business and affect employee attitudes towards management.

Offline Programming (OLP) Software is no different. If you want to get the most from your robot cell, you need to make sure that your programming environment is up to scratch.

How can you tell if an OLP package is right for you? By asking the right questions!

Here are 10 questions you can ask to assess the suitability of an OLP software.

1. What Do I Need from OLP Software?

First, assess what you are looking for from offline programming. You should think about this in terms of the task itself, not about the technical needs of the software (that comes later).

Consider why you want OLP and what you are trying to achieve with the robot. When you have a clear understanding of your needs, it becomes much simpler to answer the following questions and pick an OLP package that works for you.

2. What Are My Long and Short Term Needs?

We are often very good at saying what we need in the short term, but not so good at planning in the long term. Offline programming can change the way you use robots forever, so a good OLP software should be able to go the distance.

Right now, you might be have only one particular robot or robot brand in mind for your current project. But, think about the long term. Does the OLP software support other robots you might use in the future?

3. Which Features Are Vital?

It’s easy to get distracted by an impressive list of features when you are comparing different software packages. However, a feature is only relevant to your decision if it’s a feature you actually need. For example, one OLP package might have a dedicated 3D Printing feature, but ask yourself: Is that something I need now or might need in the future? If so, you should take it into consideration. If not, you don’t need to include this feature in your assessment.

4. What is the Support Like?

Even the best software in the world needs support sometimes. Some of the more entry-level OLP packages have hardly any support (or no support if they are free open-source packages). You need to make sure that you can easily contact the software supplier whenever you have a problem and/or post a question on their forum.

5. Is There a Community?

Even with official support, it is very valuable to use OLP software which has some kind of community around it. You’ll learn a lot when you can easily interact with people just like you who are using the software for the same kinds of applications.

Community can take several forms, including a dedicated forum for the software, and video examples which demonstrate the software’s capabilities.

6. Does It Fit In My Workflow?

You don’t want to change every single thing about your process to be able to incorporate offline programming into your business. The software should slot into your existing workflow as seamlessly as possible. In fact, a good package will actually improve and streamline your workflow. It should be easy to import CAD models and the software should make programming your robot simple.

7. Does It Integrate With My Favorite Software?

You don’t want to jump through hoops to move models from one package to another. The best OLP software will integrate seamlessly with your existing software. It should include dedicated plug-ins for top CAD/CAM packages and modelers. However, it should also be easy to manually export and import models to allow it to support any package you like.

8. Which Robots Does It Support?

Some OLP software is tied into a particular robot manufacturer or even into a single robot model. This might be okay if you know that you will always use that robot and no other, but it can also be restrictive. Is it possible that you will incorporate a different robot into your business in future? If so, it makes sense to look for software which has a wide range of support for different robot brands and makes it easy to create your own mechanisms to support your custom designs. See our article Will Offline Programming Work With My Robot? for more guidance on this.

9. What’s the Total Cost?

It’s obviously important to ask about the cost of the OLP software, and it’s beneficial if the pricing is clearly set out on the company’s website. But, be warned, some suppliers of OLP software make it quite difficult to find out the cost. Some even require you to buy pricey add-ons to add extra functionality (e.g. robot machining, welding, etc), which can quickly push the total cost up. Ideally, you want software where everything is included in one price.

10. Can I Try It Out?

The best way to assess if OLP software will suit your needs is to try it out for yourself. Offline programming is much easier to understand when you’ve tested what it can do and got a feel for the software.

As a result, you really want software which has a free trial version of the software. Take a “test drive” and see what OLP can do for you.

What questions would you like answered about offline programming? Tell us in the comments below or join the discussion on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or in the RoboDK Forum.

The post 10 Questions to Ask When Shopping for OLP Software appeared first on RoboDK blog.