Example of a robot job duplication routine outlined in the White Paper: "Job Duplication - Repeatable Robotics Efficiency"
Dependability and repeatability in part production are top reasons for implementing a robotic solution into a manufacturing environment. Completing a job with the same results every time and every day leads to higher productivity, improved production times and the reduction of rework costs.
Once properly set up, a robotic work cell can be a tireless producer over multiple shifts.
With all the benefits of robotic work cells in manufacturing, companies are looking for ways to leverage current setups into expanded operations. Many parts or products are being produced on more than one production line, in multiple locations or even in numerous countries. Taking the successful implementation of a robotic solution from one cell and applying it in additional cells provides the added benefits of reduced setup time and cost when using the original program as the building block for each new cell.
Job duplication is a term used to describe the process of converting programmed points in a job to a relative job in the controller’s user coordinates. The user coordinate can be retaught and programmed points will remain in the same location and orientation relative to the user coordinate. This means that a job can be set up by a master programmer in one location, using a particular robot, positioner and controller model, and can then be duplicated in additional locations that might be using a different robot, positioner or controller model. Expansion to new geographical areas is simplified. Concern over equipment model versions and capital purchase schedules is reduced. Global quality control is made easier, and program maintenance concerns can be eliminated.
Job Duplication Benefits Include:
- Time savings in setup
- Every controller has the same job for easier maintenance and updates
- Job can be set up by one “master programming person” on a global basis
- Flexibility to translate job setups between similar robot models – current, previous or next generation
- Cross-platform support between cells running current, previous or next controller version
- Support for positioner models manufactured in multiple regions
A white paper with programming and calibration details, along with other considerations has been created to provide addition information on this capability. Video examples using MotoSim? (Yaskawa’s offline programming, 3D simulation, virtual robot controller) to visually represent the job duplication process are also available for review.
