With the brand new TwinTrack Probe, it is now attainable to do exactly that. Customers can program their robotic just by transferring the probe by hand and recording their complicated paths with ease. This permits the robotic to imitate the operator abilities.
RoboDK, a number one Canadian-European robotic programming software program firm, has launched the design and meeting directions of the TwinTrack Probe. Out there from September 2023, the cost-effective instrument permits customers to simply report complicated paths in RoboDK with an off-the-shelf HTC VIVE tracker and a easy 3D printed instrument.
Because the robotics market continues to evolve and extra companies are turning to robotic automation, there’s a transfer away from conventional programming strategies. Customers do not wish to should manually transfer (or “jog”) a robotic into place to laboriously program each level, and even mannequin elements in CAD software program. They wish to report robotic trajectories rapidly and simply to place the robots into manufacturing quicker.
With the brand new TwinTrack Probe, it is now attainable to do exactly that. Customers can program their robotic just by transferring the probe by hand and recording their complicated paths with ease. This permits the robotic to imitate the operator abilities.
The design and meeting directions of the probe are made publicly obtainable so it may be personalized to raised mimic human abilities. The machine consists of 2 buttons to have higher management over the instructing course of.
The mix of an off-the-shelf tracker and a 3D printed, open-source instrument makes the answer extremely accessible for any enterprise that desires to extend their automation effectivity.
Accuracy vs. Value
The primary problem with industrial-grade correct measurement programs is their restrictive price ticket. Whereas accuracy could be as much as 0.1 mm, utilizing such programs requires in depth data and expertise, solely obtainable from particular distributors.
Olivier Allard, Software program Developer at RoboDK, explains:
” Conventional strategies to show robots by demonstration require very costly metrology programs, devoted assist, and coaching. The value tag of this {hardware} could be over 100 thousand {dollars}, which is way costlier than a robotic itself. We needed to discover a cost-effective answer for functions not requiring accuracy to make it extra accessible for everybody.”
The brand new TwinTrack probe could be constructed with lower than 2000 EUR, together with the measurement {hardware} required from HTC and Valve. With the brand new probe, RoboDK goals to carry the advantages of off-the-shelf and inexpensive measurement expertise to its clients, with out the restrictive price ticket and permitting to customise the {hardware} for every manufacturing software.
The advantages of a public design and off-the-shelf tracker
RoboDK focuses on creating options that take away the necessity for expensive, vendor-restrictive {hardware}. The RoboDK programming software program already helps over 900 robotic fashions from over 70 manufacturers, and this continues to develop.
The TwinTrack Probe takes benefit of latest expertise created for Digital Actuality programs, together with HTC Vive Trackers and base stations created by Valve such because the Index Base station. The probe itself could be created with any 3D printer, and the corporate has launched the design for all to make use of.
RoboDK’s CEO Albert says:
“We’re making the design of our TwinTrack Probe public. This probe is appropriate for functions that do not require accuracy. The meeting directions and 3D fashions can be found on GrabCAD and Thingiverse, and the probe depends on the identical measurement expertise utilized by VR industrial programs, akin to one HTC Vive Tracker and two or extra base stations by Valve.”
The answer integrates completely with RoboDK software program, which means that recorded paths are instantly obtainable for robotic simulation and programming. As soon as the setup is full, customers can see the simulated probe transferring in actual time of their RoboDK station.
Just a few examples of the numerous attainable functions
The TwinTrack Probe can obtain an accuracy of 5mm, which is appropriate for a lot of robotic duties.
Examples of fantastic functions for the instrument embody portray, allotting, and decide and place. By programming the trajectories in the true setting, the instrument helps customers compensate for any accuracy error between their simulation and the true objects.
Allard says:
“The system means that you can create a posh path on a customized handmade piece with out the necessity of CAD software program. That is helpful for functions like portray or allotting. You may as well rapidly make decide and place software or create a component reference body that matches the true half place.”
Straightforward curve technology for a extra streamlined programming workflow
Robots have lengthy been an answer to extend the effectivity of producing processes and remove manufacturing bottlenecks. Nevertheless, as robots are extra extensively obtainable and inexpensive, the programming step itself has develop into a bottleneck.
RoboDK’s programming software program already helps its many customers to program their robots rapidly and simply. TwinTrack takes this effectivity one step additional by permitting customers to program their robotic by merely transferring the probe by the workspace.
Customers can now precisely seize any level or curve within the robotic’s workspace just by touching it with the brand new probe. Probing some extent will create a goal throughout the RoboDK software program that can be utilized for the person’s programming undertaking.
Complicated curves and trajectories are additionally now simpler to program than ever. The person can set a customized goal density, then transfer the probe by the air or on the floor of their object. This allows instructing robots remotely, even with out the necessity of a robotic or a pc.
Future plans
Now they’ve launched their probe design, the crew at RoboDK hopes to see quite a lot of modern use circumstances and success tales from their extremely energetic and engaged person base.
The crew can also be working to make the system even simpler to undertake by creating complete step-by-step setup guides for customers trying to assemble their very own probes.
These initiatives replicate RoboDK’s dedication to empowering customers with useful assets and fostering a tradition of innovation and data trade.