Industrial Robot Programming With GUI-Guided Workstation Wizards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial robot programming is complex and requires significant knowledge, making it difficult for operators without programming expertise to program robots, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises where frequent reprogramming is needed for product changes or small batches.
Innovation Solution
A programming system that splits the programming process into two parts: the first part, requiring specialized knowledge, is done by a system integrator, and the second part, which is simpler and intuitive, is performed by operators using a guiding tool that generates a wizard-like interface to input parameters and define workstation sequences, allowing for flexible and quick reprogramming without needing a system integrator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional robot programming methods are used, then the robot can be programmed with high flexibility and precision, but the programming complexity increases significantly and requires specialized knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a graphical user interface (GUI) as an intermediary layer between the operator and the robot programming system. This GUI provides visual templates and drag-and-drop functionality that simplifies the programming process, allowing operators to create robot programs without needing to understand complex programming languages or syntax, thus reducing programming complexity while maintaining flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional text-based programming languages with a visual programming interface. Instead of writing code instructions, operators use graphical elements, icons, and visual workflows to program robot actions, substituting the mechanical act of coding with a more intuitive visual interaction method that reduces the knowledge barrier
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional robot programming is used, then precise control over robot operations is achieved, but the time required for programming increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures visual templates with common robot operations and parameters. These templates contain pre-defined settings for typical tasks, allowing operators to quickly assemble programs by selecting and configuring templates rather than programming each operation from scratch, thereby reducing programming time while maintaining precision through the templates' pre-validated parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables operators to copy and reuse previously created program modules or templates for similar operations. Once a robot operation is programmed once using the visual interface, it can be replicated and adapted for similar tasks, significantly reducing the time required for subsequent programming while preserving the precision of the original programming
3Measurement precision
If specialized programmers are used to program robots, then programming accuracy is high, but the cost and availability of programming resources decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent empowers operators to program robots themselves using the simplified visual interface, eliminating the need to rely on specialized programmers. The system provides built-in guidance, validation, and error checking that enables operators without programming expertise to achieve accurate robot programming, making the system self-sufficient and reducing dependency on external expertise
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and a method for programming an industrial robot (3) to perform work in a robot cell including a plurality of workstations (4a-c). The method comprises: - providing a plurality of programming blocks including robot code for carrying out a part of a task, and program code for generating a graphical user interface for guiding a user to program the part of the task, - generating a first graphical user interface allowing a user to define a plurality of workstations and to select a sequence of said programming blocks for each of the defined workstations, and to define a specific robot cell, - generate a guiding tool for programming the specific robot cell based on the program code in the selected sequences of programming blocks for the workstations of the robot cell, the guiding tool including program code for generating a second graphical user interface including a sequence of views including instructions for guiding a user to program the specific robot cell, - executing the guiding tool, - displaying the second graphical user interface allowing the user to select one or more of the workstations in the specific robot cell, and to input parameters in response to the displayed instructions, - receiving user inputs in response to the displayed instructions, and - generating a robot program based on the robot code of the selected sequences of programming blocks for the selected workstations and the user inputs.