The importance of offline programming - MotoSim EG-VRC

In an era of full digital transformation (industry 4.0), where robotics plays a leading role in the development and technological evolution, we have tools that help us to predict errors and to minimize, above all, times of productive inoperability (stops in production).

To face these inefficiencies in the manufacturing processes, we have offline programming tools, which use CNC, CAD / CAM programming practices and the virtual environment already defined from process planning or from an exclusive environment for definition of the programming to be executed by the robots.

Offline programming means programming robots outside the production environment. This is a method, which doesn't interfere with production, as the robot programs are generated on an external PC outside the production process.

Minimization of downtime

Minimizing production downtime caused by programming performed in a factory environment, offline programming portrays a simulation that allows studying various scenarios applicable to a robotic work cell before putting it into production.

We were able to divide the programming of a robotic cell into two types:

- Manual / Online Programming: using the control and commands existing on the console next to the robots, with the concept of trial and error, until defining the ideal programming;

- Offline programming: through a virtual environment that interprets the parameters defined by the programmer, converting them to the specific language of the robots, validating all programming in the virtual environment, before sending it to the robots in a real environment.

MotoSim® EG-VRC - the powerful software from YASKAWA

In the case of YASKAWA Offline programming, there is the MotoSim® EG-VRC (Motoman Simulator Enhanced Graphics - Virtual Robot Control). This is a comprehensive software package that provides highly accurate 3D simulation of robotic cells.

From the simplest to the most complex systems, MotoSim® EG-VRC is powerful software that can be used to:

• Offline execution of programs for YASKAWA robots;
• Studies on the reach and accessibility of robots, peripherals and equipment;
• Analysis of cycle times;
• Offline trajectory programming;
• Collision detection;
• System setup;
• Configuration of the Functional Security Unit (FSU);
• Remote access to robot controllers.

Benefits

• High accuracy rate;
• Reduction of programming times;
• Reduction of installation times for robots / cells;
• Reduction of downtime and consequent increase in production line activity;
• Ability to program new parts before production starts;
• Ability to increase efficiency, modifying any current robots program and simplifying programming with detailed graphics that provide the robots' trajectories;
• Supports simulation of multiple robots and multiple controllers;
• Support tool in project development;
• Testing of new applications or new tools.

Maximizing ROI

In summary, offline programming allows you to maximize ROI on robot systems and requires appropriate simulation tools. In addition to being used by technicians specialized in robotics, it is also explored in higher education and professional education, enabling a better understanding of the operation and programming of robots in 3D environment of real robotized applications.

In this sense, the book Volume 13 - Industrial Robotics - Offline Programming - MotoSim® EG-VRC will be launched later this year, conducted by teacher Filipe Pereira (edited by Booki), which will allow students, teachers, technicians, engineers and those interested in the topic better use of this Industrial Robotics simulation software from YASKAWA.