Motoman's new PXCRC controller meets OEM and integrator needs: facilitates integration using PC features and tools

Citation

(2002), "Motoman's new PXCRC controller meets OEM and integrator needs: facilitates integration using PC features and tools", Industrial Robot, Vol. 29 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2002.04929bad.006

Motoman's new PXCRC controller meets OEM and integrator needs: facilitates integration using PC features and tools

Keywords: Robots, Controllers

Motoman Inc.'s new PCXRC controller is the answer to many integrator's and OEM's dreams, since it makes integrating peripherals a snap. The PCXRC is a new controller platform that combines the power, speed, and communication compatibility of a PC with the advanced capabilities of Motoman's industry-hardened XRC robot controller. The result is unmatched flexibility. The PCXRC tremendously simplifies system integration, reduces overall system cost, maximizes process capability, and provides an ideal platform for integrator and OEM applications (Plate 6).

Plate 6

With the PCXRC platform, Motoman's advanced PC-based software tools – including VisualPallet™, MotoSim, MotoCal™, and RobotPro™ – run on the same CPU as the XRC robot controller. Other popular PC-based programs, such as Steeplechase, WonderWare, and Intellution – also can operate on the same platform as the robot's controller. Communication is fast and seamless. The PCXRC can do everything the XRC can do – and more – all with complete compatibility between them.

The PCXRC controller features advanced tools for communication with peripherals (via Ethernet and other PC supported standards such as DeviceNet, ProfiBus, etc.), including vision systems and various local-and wide- area networks. Further, the PCXRC can be enhanced by rapidly deploying off-the-shelf, low-cost PC-based hardware and software products. Integration is effortless, due to the large number of standards that the PCXRC supports, such as Firewire (IEEE 1394), LPT1, OPC, ActiveX, XML, SOAP, and others. As a result, integrators and OEMs can offer enhanced remote support capability via networking tools the PCXRC provides.

Benefits of the PCXRC include overall system cost reduction. For example, the use of a "soft" PLC on the PCXRC platform eliminates the need for stand-alone PLC hardware, industrial-hardened cabinets; and complex low-bandwith cabling and connectors to tie various systems together. Further, the use of standard PC hardware also reduces parts count and inventory. Finally, the PCXRC uses a standard Windows™ operating system for the operator interface, which minimizes training requirements for operators. The PCXRC uses the patented InTime operating system (OS) for the same ultra-reliable real-time operation found in life support medical systems and aircraft control systems. The PCXRC allows lightning-fast information exchange between the robots real-time side and the Windows NT OS.

"Customer's love the PCXRC because it provides superior flexibility and its Windows- based platform is a true Open Architecture approach," says Frank Pellegrino, Vice- President of Palletizing Products for Alvey Systems Inc., a leading integrator of material and information flow solutions. Alvey is also a Motoman Integration Partner and has served as a beta test site for the PCXRC. "Many of our customers already use Steeplechase software, a familiar PC-based control system, for their material handling applications. With the PCXRC, we can run Steeplechase and are able to control a complete palletizing system – all from the same box," he continues.

"Additionally, many of the teach pendant functions are easily integrated into touch screen operations using familiar GUI software such as WonderWare, and Intellution," Pellegrino explains. "Plus, we can take advantage of Motoman's powerful PC-based tools like Visual Pallet for palletizing, and MotoSim and MotoCal tools for simulation of off-line programming," he says.

The PCXRC also minimizes program downtime for new robot program development. For example, new palletizing programs can be developed while the system continues production. The fact that simulations and off-line programming can be performed on the PCXRC eliminates the need to transfer programs. Integrators and OEMs enjoy the best of both worlds – the PC's ease of use, communications speed and capability – with an industry-hardened robot controller.

For more information on Motoman products and services, call 937.847.6200, write to Motoman, Inc., 805 Liberty Lane, West Carrollton, Ohio, USA 45449, or visit the corporate website at http://www.motoman.com .