RWT launches next generation Universal Robot Controller

Citation

(1999), "RWT launches next generation Universal Robot Controller", Industrial Robot, Vol. 26 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.1999.04926cab.005

RWT launches next generation Universal Robot Controller

RWT launches next generation Universal Robot Controller™

Robotic Workspace Technologies, Inc. is launching its next generation Universal Robot Controller (URC), the industry's first, truly plug-and-play, PC-based, open architecture robot controller. The URC's hardware and software has been redesigned specifically to support distributed control, taking full advantage of its open architecture platform while minimizing space requirements on the shop floor.

"Essentially, we've broken the URC into two components: the Power Module and the URC," explains Walt Weisel, President. "The Power Module, which contains all the electromechanical interface systems for the robot is now a very small box compared with traditional robot controllers, and is located near the robot in the workcell. The URC, which houses the robot logic, touch screen, keyboard, and serves as the operator interface, can be located in any conveniently accessible location in or outside the workcell."

The new URC configuration provides several advantages. The URC can easily be integrated with multiple Power Modules and other control systems to support a distributed control architecture. In fact, the URC can be installed long before the workcell is deployed to facilitate integration of enterprise-wide systems. The URC can also be used as a training console, which can later be installed on the factory floor. This new configuration means significant cost savings to the end user. The next generation URC, with its reduced footprint Power Module, reduces the cost of production floor real estate used. The URC also reduces the cost of systems integration, training, and spare parts inventory.

"There are greater savings to be realized, though, with the new pricing structure of the next generation URC," explains Mr Weisel. "We've introduced a software-licensing program so that a manufacturer with a large number of robots can purchase a RobotScript™ universal robot programming language discounted site licence, saving the cost of multiple copies of the same software. And, the next generation Universal Robot Controller hardware can now be purchased for less than $20,000 for most commercially available robots. We've broken through the price/performance barrier!", Mr Weisel states.

"Most of our customers are in the automotive industry, which has the highest population of installed robots," says Mr Weisel. "Typically, there are more than 50 robots working on any given production line. Changing over such lines with new robots, controllers, tooling, and fixtures can cost tens of millions of dollars. Retrofitting with the URC/RobotScript control system and then redeploying existing robots in existing workcells or in new applications is a very cost-effective alternative that dramatically reduces that cost. Now, with our new pricing and site licence program, these customers can essentially retrofit, on a plug-and-play basis, with the URC/RobotScript system and redeploy every third or fourth robot for free."

The Universal Robot Controller uses Intel Pentium® processors and features real-time motion control of the robot and workcell components such as conveyors, positioners, or automated fixturing devices as well as a Windows® NT operator interface to the robot and robot programming platform. The URC also supports other application hardware and software such as the Cognex vision system for in-line inspection, Deneb's 3D graphical simulation software for robot process validation and cycle time analysis, and any other manufacturing support packages that run in the Windows environment. Robot motion control tasks are isolated from Windows NT tasks to ensure optimum control performance and reliability.

RobotScript is a macro-like robot programming language that employs the state-of-the-art Microsoft® ActiveX™ technology. Based on Microsoft's Visual Basic™ Scripting Edition programming language, RobotScript can be used in a wide variety of development environments including Microsoft Visual Basic, Microsoft Visual C++, or any Windows development environment, including Microsoft Office. So, RobotScript is not only easy to learn and use, but it is also compatible with most Windows software products. This allows the programmer to easily develop custom applications to support, for example, automated data acquisition and distribution of production information directly from or to the robot.

"This capability has never before been available in the robotic manufacturing environment, nor do we see it being offered on new robots," says Mr Weisel. "We are changing the way the industry can use robots ­ for the better." The Universal Robot Controller and RobotScript system can be ordered on new robots or it can be retrofitted to any robot to gain the price/performance advantages of the PC/Windows platform.

Visit Robotic Workspace Technologies on-line at http://www.rwt.com.

For more information contact: Sandra L. Brooks, Robotic Workspace Technologies, Inc., 17105 San Carlos Blvd., Ste. A6151, Ft. Myers Beach, FL 33931, USA. Tel: (941) 466-0488; Fax: (941) 466-7270; e-mail: brooks@rwt.com