In an exciting move, industrial automation solutions providers KEBA Industrial Automation have integrated RoboDK with their powerful motion controls.
The partnership promises benefits for users of KeMotion controls, allowing them to get more from their robotics systems. The solution offers an easy way to transfer robot programs to the controllers and monitor robot execution in a digital environment.
Let’s explore this collaboration and give an example application to show the power of the solution.
Introducing KEBA
KEBA is an international technology company headquartered in Linz, Austria. It has a network of 26 subsidiaries across 16 companies and employs over 2,000 people.
The company has been operating for over 50 years and specializes in developing innovative automation solutions for various industries. Its mission is to use its technologies to make people’s daily life and work easier.
In the area of industrial automation, in line with the guiding principle “Automation by innovation”, KEBA develops and produces innovative and high-quality automation solutions for general machine and machine tools as well as for Intralogistics, robotics, plastics, wind energy, turbo systems and sheet metal processing.
Whether hardware or software, individual components or complete solutions – the Austrian technology expert offers powerful, modular and safe solutions for all industrial requirements.Of key interest to robotics users, KEBA offers a range of industrial motion controls and robotics solutions named KeMotion.
How KEBA and RoboDK are Collaborating
KEBA and RoboDK announced our collaboration at the Smart Production Solutions (SPS) 2023 event in Munich, Germany.
The collaboration includes support within RoboDK of the KAIRO programming language, which is used to program KEBA controllers. We have also worked together to add functionality that allows the motions of KEBA robots to be monitored in real time and shown in RoboDK’s 3D simulated environment.
Other enhancements that have come out of this collaboration include workflows for system design and implementation, and associated after sales support.
Together with the team at KEBA, we have worked to help the company’s robot users to improve the ease and efficiency of their robot programming.
5 Benefits to Expect from the KEBA and RoboDK Partnership
If you’re a KEBA user, this partnership can bring some significant benefits to your robot applications.
Here are 5 benefits you can expect from the collaboration:
- A smooth robot programming workflow — With RoboDK now closely integrated into your robot workflow, you can expect a much smoother process for designing, implementing, executing, and monitoring robot programs.
- Enhanced robot control — You can now transfer program data directly from RoboDK to your KeMotion controller. This ensures accurate and efficient motion execution with the click of a button.
- Digital monitoring of your physical robot — The digital monitoring feature of RoboDK allows you to track the motions of your physical robot in the simulated environment. With this digital twin, you can help to improve the accuracy of your robot deployment and further improve its operation over time.
- Offline programming and simulation — A core benefit of using RoboDK is its offline programming. This allows you to simulate and program your robot without removing it from operation, improving productivity.
- Improved after-sales support — The partnership between KEBA and RoboDK promises to provide robust and continuous support, ensuring an even smoother experience when you are using these products together.
Ultimately, this collaboration is set to make your life easier when programming your automation systems. It helps break down potential barriers when you are deploying a robot using KEBA products.
Example Application: LockTCP with RoboDK
What does the collaboration between KEBA and RoboDK look like in practice?
Markus Winter from KEBA has created a simple robot programming task using the technology to show how it works in a practical situation. Here, the application is to test the reachability of the robot while keeping the robot’s end effector in position.
Here are the 5 steps of the application:
1. Use the LockTCP Feature
Markus begins by activating the LockTCP feature of RoboDK. This works by keeping the Tool Center Point (TCP) at a fixed location in space.
With this application, this allows him to verify that the robot meets the space requirements and tests the reachability of the robot.
2. Create the Program
He can then place targets within RoboDK, which are the desired locations of the robot in the program.
In this example, he just adds two targets, but in a real application there may be dozens.
3. Run in the Virtual Environment
Before running on the real robot, he runs the robot program within a RoboDK simulation.
As the test program only has two targets, the robot simply moves between those targets.
4. Test on the Real Robot Controller
Once it’s clear that the simulated robot operates as intended, Markus downloads the program to the physical robot.
The physical robot follows the programmed movements. At the same time, the digital twin within the RoboDK simulation updates its location to reflect this.
5. Deploy the Application
Finally, it’s time to send the program to the KEBA teach pendant so that it can run without being attached to RoboDK on a computer.
RoboDK processes the program and converts it into the KAIRO programming language. It then sends this to the KEBA controller.
Final Thoughts on KEBA and RoboDK’s Strategic Partnership
This collaboration between KEBA and RoboDK heralds an exciting future for users of KEBA robots.
With this partnership in place, KEBA users can be sure of a simplified and more powerful programming process for their robotic applications. In turn, this will help to reduce downtime and improve productivity in these robotic deployments.
We look forward to seeing what interesting applications KEBA users deploy using RoboDK!
Do you use KEBA robots and what do you use them for? Tell us in the comments below or join the discussion on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or in the RoboDK Forum.. Also, check out our extensive video collection and subscribe to the RoboDK YouTube Channel
