Communication to external control systems
The production of robot control data alone is not often sufficient for complex machines. As a result additional pieces of information, which contain components of the work pieces, are transferred to the PLC. The PLC-controlled machine components can adjust themselves automatically to the work piece to be produced.
An example of this is the automatic measurement of the work piece by laser sensors, which can be aligned in the optimal position by stepper motor axes. The set-point values of the stepper motor axes are part of the additional work piece information of the set pattern generator.
The measurements serve as a database for subsequent analysis. After completion of the analysis the work pieces are classified and carry their identification codes throughout the product tracking process. On the basis of this identification code, the PLC sorts the work pieces and assigns them to the individual robots for acceptance to the target palette.
Simulation for safety
In order to test the sample patterns created with regard to acceptance and pattern strategy in advance, a simulation function is put into practice. The work pieces are removed from one pattern and lifted up into another pattern. This feature provides additional security to the operator to identify and avoid strategy errors.