Programming industrial robots for welding and assembly applications has been quite the complex task, requiring uniquely qualified personnel with experience in programming. However, today there are simpler solutions.
In the video above, we talk about how smart, force-sensing end effectors and specialized programming apps are simplifying sophisticated programming structures to eliminate the need for weeks of training classes.
“For applications like arch welding, we can use Kinetiq Teaching to simplify the interface and overall experience,” said Jack Moore, senior process engineer at Yaskawa Motoman.
Included in the Kinetiq Teaching home interface are options to program straight line motion, curved motion and joint motion, as well as options such as an on and off switch for the welder and other miscellaneous instructions, all on one screen.
“Ultimately this is a small subset of the instructions available on the robot controller, but the goal is to get the robot to move along the desired path and to program the angles and distances that we need for welding,” Moore explained.
Rather than using button sequences to drive the robot, it can be done by physically repositioning the robot by hand for any type of motion or orientation.
Programming is simplified to recording positions and activating or deactivating features with the push of a button.
“With the Kinetiq sensor, any forces applied south of the flange will allow me to drive the robot,” explained Moore. “Deactivating the sensor will prevent operators from moving the robot by hand, but will allow you to run through the path you’ve created.”
If mistakes are made and your weld path is not ideal, users can reprogram specific motions by backstepping to previously recorded points, changing the position of the robot and selecting the “Change” button to update the path.
“If you have a facility full of manual welders, they know the welding process better than anyone,” said Moore.
“Traditionally, if you wanted to get them trained, you would have to pull them off the line and it would take three weeks. Now, in just a couple minutes you can have someone off the production line, who’s never been trained on a robot before, understanding and programming the robot. Robot technicians can then take the trajectories the welder programmed, import it to the normal programming environment and add any additional or necessary logics.”
For more information, watch the video above and visit the Yaskawa Motoman website.