Modern robotization and automation of the production process are based on technologically advanced devices. Such robots must not only be designed, but also adapted to operate in the desired manner in a given location, i.e., programmed. Let us take a closer look at the various methods used to program industrial robots that are delivered to customer companies.
Robot programming methods
Currently, there are several basic methods of programming industrial robots. These include manual programming, offline programming, programming by demonstration, and programming using artificial intelligence. They differ primarily in the tools used, but the goal is the same—to best adapt the device to the needs of a given industrial environment. The emergence of artificial intelligence has not led to the complete abandonment of manual programming; on the contrary, different methods can be combined because they work well in different conditions. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, so they can be selected to suit specific requirements, the nature of the work, and the availability of personnel.
Manual programming of industrial robots
Manual programming is the oldest and most manual of the available methods. All work must be carried out with the participation of a qualified specialist whose task is to teach robots the tasks they are to perform. A manual control panel is used for this purpose, with the help of which the movements to be memorized are displayed. Robotization of the production process using this programming method works best for less complex tasks and in smaller companies. It is valued by programmers because it gives them a high degree of control over the robot and allows for a higher degree of precision. However, its disadvantage is the need for constant staff presence and a large time investment. It is less flexible and would be difficult to apply on a larger scale in current industrial conditions.
Offline programming of industrial robots
Offline industrial robot programming takes its name from the fact that it takes place outside the production line. It uses advanced software to simulate real production conditions and accurately reflect the working environment. It is in this simulation that the data necessary for the operation of the equipment is entered. This option is popular because it does not require production to be halted and allows a large number of tests to be carried out without using space that could be used for the company’s ongoing work at that time. Thanks to the ability to thoroughly test the operation of robots, their work can be properly designed, avoiding collisions or other unforeseen events, without having to check this on the production line. However, even the best simulation software will never reflect 100% of actual working conditions, so there may be discrepancies that could prove significant when implementing the developed solutions in a real production environment.
Programming by demonstration
These are methods of programming industrial robots that use a mechanism that mimics human actions. The machines are equipped with sensors that allow them to observe work performed by human hands. Their task is to translate the observed activities into their own capabilities. The advantages of this solution include the lack of need to hire personnel who would be able to operate in advanced programming languages. The disadvantages, on the other hand, include the need to use sensor technology and the risk that not all tasks will be physically demonstrable in such a way as to achieve the expected level of precision.
Programming using AI
Artificial intelligence is gradually permeating most areas of our lives, and robot programming is no exception. Although it is already being used for this purpose, it is not yet the most common method, and experts predict that its full potential in this regard is yet to be realized. The code required for a robot to operate can be generated automatically and continuously optimized. In practice, robot programming using AI often looks like this: the device performs a given task until it learns to do it correctly. It is possible to achieve better results with each subsequent repetition. Another field where artificial intelligence can be used is the automatic generation of trajectories for individual movements based on models and transferring them to the actual production line. However, many specialists are still wary of this method of robot programming due to the imperfection of the available solutions and the risk of unforeseen behavior or other inaccuracies that may arise during operation. For this reason, AI is not yet the main tool used for programming industrial robots.