Generally speaking, robot programming can be divided into online teaching programming and offline programming. Today, we will focus on offline programming, discussing the main problems encountered in practical applications of online teaching programming, and providing an in-depth analysis of the advantages, functions, and disadvantages of mainstream robot programming software.
Online programming demonstrations mainly have the following problems in practical applications:
- Teaching online programming is cumbersome and inefficient.
- The accuracy is entirely determined by the instructor's visual estimation, and online programming for teaching complex paths is difficult to achieve satisfactory results.
What are the advantages of online programming compared to offline programming?
- Reduce robot downtime so that robots can continue working on the production line while being programmed for the next task.
- This keeps programmers away from dangerous work environments.
- It has a wide range of applications, can program various robots, and can easily achieve optimized programming.
- It can be programmed for complex tasks.
- Facilitates modification of robot programs.
After seeing these advantages of offline programming, are you eager to see what offline programming software looks like? Then read on~ Below is a detailed introduction to mainstream offline programming software.
__1. RobotMaster__
Robotmaster, originating from Canada and distributed by Shanghai Aoka Automation Co., Ltd., is currently one of the world's leading offline programming software programs. It supports almost all robot brands on the market (KUKA, ABB, Fanuc, Motoman, Staubli, KEMA, Mitsubishi, DENSO, Panasonic, etc.). Robotmaster seamlessly integrates robot programming, simulation, and code generation functions into Mastercam, improving the speed of robot programming.
advantage:
It can generate programs based on product models, suitable for cutting, milling, welding, spraying, etc. Its exclusive optimization features provide highly accurate kinematic planning and collision detection, supporting external axes (linear guide systems, rotary systems) and composite external axis combination systems.
shortcoming:
It currently does not support simultaneous simulation of multiple robots (it can only run on a single workstation). The secondary development based on MasterCAM is expensive; the enterprise version costs around 200,000 RMB. So pricey!!
__2、RobotArt__
RobotArt is currently the top offline programming software among domestic brands.
The software generates robot motion trajectories based on the topological information of the geometric model, followed by trajectory simulation, path optimization, and post-coding, all seamlessly integrated. It also combines collision detection, scene rendering, and animation output to quickly generate realistic simulation animations. It is widely used in grinding, deburring, welding, laser cutting, CNC machining, and other fields.
RobotArt Education Edition, tailored to actual teaching situations, adds features such as a simulated teach pendant and free assembly, helping beginners quickly understand robots in a virtual environment and learn basic robot teach pendant operations, greatly shortening the learning cycle and reducing learning costs.
advantage:
- Supports multiple formats of 3D CAD models, and can import formats with extensions such as step, igs, stl, x_t, prt (UG), prt (ProE), CATPart, sldpart, etc.;
-Supports offline programming operations for various brands of industrial robots, such as ABB, KUKA, Fanuc, Yaskawa, Staubli, KEBA series, Siasun, GSK, etc.;
- Possesses extensive experience in high-end aerospace applications;
- Automatically recognizes and searches point, line, and surface information of CAD models to generate trajectories;
- The trajectory is linked to the features of the CAD model; when the model moves or deforms, the trajectory changes automatically.
-One-click optimization of trajectory and geometric level collision detection;
-Supports multiple process packages, such as cutting, welding, spraying, deburring, and CNC machining;
-Supports publishing the entire workstation simulation animation to web pages and mobile devices;
shortcoming:
The software does not support full production line simulation (it is not versatile enough) and does not support robots from small foreign brands. However, it is quite powerful for offline robot programming, and its functions are in no way inferior to foreign software.
__3、RobotWorks__
RobotWorks is an offline programming and simulation software for robots from Israel. Similar to RobotMaster, it's a secondary development based on Solidworks. You need to purchase Solidworks before using it.
Function:
Comprehensive data interfaces: Robotworks is developed based on the Solidworks platform. Solidworks can perform data conversion through standard interfaces such as IGES, DXF, DWG, PrarSolid, Step, VDA, and SAT.
Strong programming skills:
It only takes four steps from inputting CAD data to outputting robot machining code.
Step 1: Create or import other 3D CAD data directly from Solidworks, select the defined robot tools, and assemble them with the workpiece to be machined into an assembly. All assembly fixtures and tools can be created and used by the customer using Solidworks.
Step 2: Select the tool in Robotworks, and then directly select the edge of the surface or spline curve to process and generate data points;
Step 3: Call the required robot database to start collision detection and simulation. Automatic corrections can be made at each data point, including tool angle control, lead wire settings, adding or removing machining points, adjusting the cutting sequence, and adding process parameters at each point;
Step 4: Robotworks automatically generates various robot codes, including Cartesian coordinate data, joint coordinate data, tool and coordinate system data, machining processes, etc., and saves different codes according to process requirements.
A powerful industrial robot database:
The system supports most mainstream industrial robots on the market and provides 3D digital models of various models of major industrial robots.
Perfect simulation:
The unique robot machining simulation system can automatically perform collision checks, axis over-limit checks, automatically delete and adjust unqualified paths, and automatically optimize paths to reduce idle time.
Open technology library definition:
The system provides a completely open library of machining process instruction files, allowing users to define and add their own unique processes according to their actual needs. Any added instructions can be output to the robot's machining data.
advantage:
It offers diverse trajectory generation methods, supports various robots, and supports external axes.
shortcoming:
Robotworks is based on SolidWorks, but SolidWorks itself doesn't have CAM functionality, making programming cumbersome and resulting in low intelligence in robot kinematics planning strategies. What if you don't know SolidWorks, only UG and Pro/E...?
__4、Robcad__
ROBCAD, a software developed by Siemens, is a large-scale application focused on production line simulation and is among the most expensive in its class. It supports offline spot welding, multi-robot simulation, and simulation of non-robot motion mechanisms, providing precise cycle time simulation. ROBCAD was primarily used in the early stages of product lifecycle design, namely conceptual and structural design. It has since been acquired by Siemens and is no longer updated.
Function:
-WorkcellandModeling: Design, management, and information control of the body-in-white production line.
-SpotandOLP: Completes spot welding process design and offline programming.
-Human: Enables human factors engineering analysis.
- The Paint, Arc, and Laser modules in the Application class enable simulation verification and offline program output for processes such as spraying, arc welding, laser processing, and edge honing in manufacturing.
- ROBCAD's Paint module. Design, optimization, and offline programming for paint spraying, including features such as automatic generation of paint routes, simulation of paint thickness for multiple colors, and optimization of the paint spraying process.
advantage:
- Seamless integration with mainstream CAD software (such as NX, CATIA, IDEAS).
- Enable 3D visualization of tools, robots, and operators.
- Simulation of manufacturing cells, testing, and programming.
shortcoming:
It is expensive, has weak offline functionality, and uses a Unix-ported interface that is not user-friendly.
__5、DELMIA__
The automotive industry uses DELMIA!
DELMIA is a CAM software under Dassault Systèmes, as is the renowned CATIA, which is also a CAD software under Dassault Systèmes. DELMIA has six major modules, among which the Robotics solution covers engines, final assembly, and body-in-white in the automotive industry, fuselage assembly, maintenance and repair in the aerospace industry, and manufacturing processes in general manufacturing.
DELMIA's Robotics module is a scalable solution that leverages a powerful PPR integration hub to quickly build, simulate, and verify robot work cells. It is a complete, scalable, and flexible solution.
advantage:
Download robots and other tool resources from a searchable resource catalog containing over 400 robots.
- The work completed by the factory layout planning engineer.
- Further refine the layout of resources required for the process in the work cell.
shortcoming:
DELMIA is an expert-level software and is relatively difficult to operate.
__6. RobotStudio__
RobotStudio is software provided by ABB, a Swiss company, and is considered one of the best-developed software solutions among robot manufacturers. RobotStudio supports the entire robot lifecycle, using graphical programming, editing, and debugging of robot systems to create robot operations and simulate and optimize existing robot programs.
advantage:
- Easy CAD import. It can easily import data from various mainstream CAD formats, including IGES, STEP, VRML, VDAFS, ACIS, and CATIA.
- AutoPath function. This function can automatically generate the robot position (path) needed to track the machining curve within just minutes using the CAD model of the part to be machined, a task that previously typically took hours or even days.
- Program editor. It can generate robot programs, enabling users to develop or maintain robot programs offline in a Windows environment, significantly reducing programming time and improving program structure.
- Path optimization. RobotStudio automatically detects and alerts users if the program contains robot movements that approach singularities, preventing this from happening in actual operation. The simulation monitor is a visual tool for robot motion optimization; red lines indicate areas for improvement to ensure the robot operates in the most efficient way. Optimization can be performed on TCP speed, acceleration, singularities, or axes of motion, reducing cycle time.
- Accessibility analysis. Autoreach can automatically perform accessibility analysis, which is very convenient to use. Users can move the robot or workpiece at will until all locations are accessible, and the work cell layout can be verified and optimized within minutes.
- Virtual Teaching Platform. It's a graphical display of the actual teaching platform, with VirtualRobot as its core technology. Essentially, all the work that can be done on the actual teaching platform can be done on the virtual teaching platform (QuickTeach), making it an excellent teaching and training tool.
- Event Table. An ideal tool for verifying the structure and logic of a program. During program execution, the I/O status of the work cell can be directly observed through this tool. I/O can be connected to simulation events to simulate the robot and all equipment within the workstation. This function is an ideal debugging tool.
- Collision detection. The collision detection function can prevent serious damage caused by device collisions. After selecting the objects to be detected, RobotStudio can automatically monitor and display whether these objects will collide during program execution.
- VBA functionality. VBA can be used to improve and extend RobotStudio's functionality, allowing for the development of powerful add-ons, macros, or customized user interfaces based on specific user needs.
- Direct upload and download. The entire robot program can be directly downloaded to the actual robot system without any conversion, thanks to ABB's unique VirtualRobot technology.
shortcoming:
It only supports ABB brand robots, and compatibility between robots is very poor. Integrators cannot only undertake ABB projects!
__7、Robomove__
Robomove, from Italy, supports most brands of robots on the market, and the robot's machining trajectory is imported from an external CAM system.
advantage:
Unlike other software, Robomove takes a personalized approach, customizing its products based on the specific project.
The software is easy to operate, has comprehensive functions, and supports simulation of multiple robots.
shortcoming:
The operator needs to have a deep understanding of the robot, and the level of intelligence of the strategy is significantly different from that of Robotmaster.
8. Other
Yaskawa's Motosim, Kuka's SimPro, Fanuc's Robguide, and other domestic software are also under development.
The above introduces several commonly used mainstream offline programming software programs, mainly analyzing their functions, advantages, and disadvantages. Please save and share this; hopefully, it will help those who want to learn about industrial robots.
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