Did you read the so informative post leading up to this one? if not here they are. #1 When you should make room for robots, #2 Fanuc Robotics Your Partner on the shop floor and #3 RobotWorks turns SW into a Robotic remote control
Welcome to RobotMaster, kinda like doubling the power of you CAD/CAM package.
So the talk yesterday was about controlling you robot inside Solidworks with the add-on RobotWorks, a delicious package for you CAD Software. Today we are talking RobotMaster and Mastercam, the idea is the same, however most likely Mastercam users are going to feel more comfortable with RobotMaster, from the perspective that it is closer to a everyday task of programming a CNC machine.
Update July 15-2009 Check out this cool yourtube skull being done with RobotMaster Robot Skull
So if you are familiar to Mastercam I dare to say that the above screen shot isn’t scary, it looks like Mastercam, it smells like Mastercam. After the user have created the curves and lines the Robot is to follow, RobotMaster module lets you pull in from a library the robot definition , it is something similar to known “machine group” in the standard Mastercam. On the right side of the screen shot you see the RobotMaster Simulation control box, this are to check the robot motion, and display it differently, look at different joint angles, collisions etc. When everything is all fine tuned, much as in your normal Mastercam you will run it through a post processor that will give you the necessary code. Tyler Robertson of In-House Solution, a Mastercam and RoboMaster reseller gave some great pointers in regards to things that should be considered when entering the world of robots and robot software.
*The most important questions will depend on the application of the robot(s), Automation is usually an engineered design for a complete system, designed to accomplish a specific task, and most companies will need to establish their own criteria for success which would then be agreed upon by each party when developing a solution for someone. There are some general questions people might find themselves asking: – Are they the sole supplier of the system, or are they providing a solution from multiple partners – Are there other companies currently using this type of Automation? – What type of training would be required to use the system – What is the support plan like? – Can the system grow as business expands? How flexible/reconfigurable is the equipment/process? – Are there secondary operations the system could be utilized for, should needs change?
For anyone starting fresh with robotics, a great starting reference is Industrial Robots by Andrew Glaser, National Sales manager for robot integrator Ellison Technologies Automation (http://new.industrialpress.com/9780831133580)
If you have read #1 through #4 of this robot theme week, I think you can start dragging the red thread through each advice recieved, and you have to be a little more comfortable entering the world of robots now.
RobotMaster supports all major robotic manufactures and that of course include our friend from post blog #2 Fanuc Robotics Your Partner on the shop floor
Tyler Robertson had this to add.
*Robotmaster has default post processors to generate code for Fanuc, ABB, Kuka, Motoman and Staubli robots, and we work with our users on an install to has their post processors integrated with their required customizations, and provide access to further customize their code output should need arise. What Robotmaster has to offer is a system built on an industry standard software (Mastercam) that can be used to program robot trajectories for a variety of popular robot brands. Even in small companies, there is often some form of CAD/CAM software, so using Robotmaster can leverage the existing knowledge of people in industry, and provide them with a common interface to manage their robot programming operations. The programs generated using Robotmaster are ready to be loaded straight to the robot control.
The advantage of using robots is clear for many applications, Robotmaster helps you program your robot to do some very complicated task. beneath is a picture of a skateboard being sanded, an application that by human hand never would have same consistency outcome as a robot, do I dare to say the robot does a better job……..yes I do.
click here to see a skateboard being 6 axis sanded, like a symphony of moves.
What about the support and maintenance? Tyler Robertson: *Robotmaster works through a network of resellers and integrators both in the Americas and internationally. We work with our resellers to provide support via phone, internet and local site support. Many of our resellers have been involved in CAD/CAM software and support for decades and have been providing local support for their customer base.
Conclusion It is fair to say that RobotMaster fits nicely into the Mastercam interface, and with that add-on you just took your work cell to the next level. One of the major Mastercam reseller In-House Solution who also hosts Mastercams forum has a very informative website for you to exploere. I will like to thank Tyler Robertson of In-House Solution for answering all my questions.
If you are reading this, and are looking for the beginning of Robot Week go here #1 When you should make room for robots
Robot Theme Week on cadcamstuff.com has ended 3 great companies who seems to be able to get the job done. I again will like to thank Cathy Powell of Fanuc Robotics, Kevin Nelson from Blue Technik, Nathan Naveh of Compucraft, Ltd. and Tyler Robertson of In-House Solution for answering all my questions. If you have any experience and advice on the field of Robotics I encourage you to leave comments, let the knowledge flow free.