eNotes: Mechatronics and Controls

39.5 ADVANCED TOPICS

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39.5.1 Simulation/Off-line Programming

How a robot interacts with the environment makes it difficult to program off-line. To do this successfully, a complete simulation of the robot workspace is required.

One excellent example of a simulation package is CIMStation by Silma. It allows full construction of the robots workspace, and subsequent testing.

Examples of simulated operation in CIMStation are,

- painting

- NC code verification

- tool and fixture simulation

- Design For Manufacturing

- process planning

- composite tape layup

- composite filament layup

- spot welding

- arc welding

- material/work manipulation

- collision detection

- deburring

- inspection

- kinematic and dynamic simulation

- controller simulation

The simulators available for the robots in the lab allow off-line programming and simulations.