1. INTRODUCTION
1. INTRODUCTION
Computer Numerical Control abbreviated as CNC machine. A CNC machine is basically a mechanical robot, controlled using a computer program. The CNC machining is a subtractive process. These machines provide a great deal of convenience in modern-day industries as they significantly increase the production and decrease the costs involved, helping a business to scale and spend on research and development further. Accompanied with this, there are certain tasks involved in different industries like Arc Welding that necessitate involvement of humans in dangerous situations and hence they are needed to be provided with extra protection gear, apart from that they would also require continuous health checkups ensuring that they are healthy and fit for working. All these things add up a significant cost to the business and hence a little capital is left for other progressive things for the business. However, the CNC machines are here to save. They work with high precision, accuracy, require less maintenance, no health checkups, no extra protection gear, and they can work day and night and hence can decrease the production cost significantly.
2. ABB ROBOTSTUDIO
2. ABB ROBOTSTUDIO
ABB RobotStudio is a cutting-edge platform which is revolutionizing CNC machine programming. It simplifies the intricate processes involved in programming by providing intuitive graphical user interfaces and powerful tools. This versatile software empowers engineers to create intricate tool paths with unparalleled accuracy, optimizing manufacturing processes for efficiency and quality. With its advanced simulation capabilities, users can visualize and validate programs before execution, minimizing errors and maximizing productivity. You can also download the ABB RobotStudio from this link.
3. HOMING ROUTINE PROGRAMMING
3. HOMING ROUTINE PROGRAMMING
Now, we are going to see how we can program a CNC robot using ABB robot studio software (simulation & offline programming). A robot can be digitally modeled and programmed using the ABB software. The CNC machine will make use of the computer program consisting of various modules, routines & instructions to drive itself. Here we will specifically look into steps to add a homing routine to CNC machine for robotic arc welding. A homing routine is basically a set of data declarations followed by a set of instructions used to implement a task. The concept of homing routine is used in various technological areas like Robotics, Navigation, Automated machinery, etc. We will look here from the perspective of robotics. In this, a target system accomplishes a task as directed by the homing routine and then returns to a predetermined position / coordinate which can be referred to as "home" here. Basically, a CNC robot will make use of an array of sensors / actuators / servo motors to determine its position relative to the "home" and move on different axes (x-y-z) to do the task. Also, usage of CNC robot for the purpose of Arc welding tasks ensures accuracy, precision, lesser errors as compared to human workers. The homing routine can be uploaded onto the CNC machine by navigating to the FlexPendant window and select program editor then in the routine section a homing routine by the name of "HOME" can be added. During the addition of routine into the module, its type can be set as "procedure" as we need not return anything after execution of the homing routine. Now, the homing routine is created in the main module, a module is basically a set of routines. Now, we need to define the "home" position for the CNC robot. For that, we can go to the home tab in ABB software and get access to the CNC robot, and then in the freehand group of the home tab top section we can simply click on the Jog Linear to select the Linear mode. Now the robot can be moved using the cursor along coordinate axes in a linear fashion. This will fix the "home" position of the robot, and now the target position / coordinates can be added to the homing routine. Inside the homing routine various things can be done like we can add instructions to move the robot (for example: moving the absolute joints), set the outputs etc. Furthermore, similar instructions can also be added by clicking on the Add Instructions button present on the bottom left corner of the FlexPendant window.
4. MORE ON CNC TRAINING
This was the basic overview of the procedure to write a homing routine in ABB software for a CNC robotic arc welding machine. For more comprehensive courses and learnings you can access our E-learning courses by clicking this link.
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