uniform robotics data interface

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Robots are a integral part of digital factories

Stationary robots are increasingly being integrated as complete systems in modern production lines in order to increase the degree of automation and reduce costs . Those envisioning the large robot lines in the automotive industry are not entirely wrong, but adoption is occuring in many other industries as well. Even medium-sized companies , whether in the food & beverage industry, the packaging industry, or even electronics suppliers, are turning to robot-based solutions . As these robots become smaller, less expensive and easier to handle, they are set to become an integral part of digital factories. At the same time, the number of applications is constantly increasing and even companies in emerging markets are integrating more and more robots.

There is no end in sight to the boom.

When it comes to practical implementation, there are still some challenges to overcome. It is important to know that each robot manufacturer today brings its own automation program with it. In contrast, the production line is typically controlled by a PLC, and the user programs the production line application via the PLC's programming system. Currently, if a company wants to integrate a robot into a higher-level PLC-controlled process, it is usually very tedious.

Above all, engineering and commissioning are associated with high levels of complexity and effort . This remains true during subsequent operation : every system maintenance, every update, the integration of a different robot type, or even a new manufacturer entails an abundance of work. As a result, users of industrial robots usually have to decide early on in which robot type and manufacturer they want to invest their effort . Innovative and new solutions are therefore used less frequently.

Increasing complexity due to robot manufacturer variance

Here you can find several frequently asked questions:

1. how does it work.

On the robot side, commands are converted into the local programming environment via the uniform interface (interpreter). On the PLC side, templates or higher-level commands or function blocks can also be created that combine multiple actions via the data interface. PLC manufacturers can create additional benefits this way.

2. Where is the focus?

There will be different levels or classes in the robot interface. First, there will be a defined scope of functions that are necessary for all and for simple functions . Higher-level functions can then be added as options. For example, the first focus is on handling functions , e.g. pick & place applications. Functions such as jog mode, the teaching of path points, the creation and validation of a motion profile and the changing of configuration data are provided for this purpose. In the future, however, it is planned to integrate other applications, such as those of welding robots, as well.

PROFIBUS is a standardized, open, digital communications system for all areas of application in manufacturing and process automation.

PROFINET is the innovative open standard for Industrial Ethernet. It satisfies all requirements of automation technology.

Omlox is an open technology standard for real-time indoor localization systems for industrial manufacturing.

A Uniform Interface for Robots

Post published: November 1, 2021
Post category: PI NEWS
Reading time: 3 mins read

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In today’s manufacturing plants, the presence of robots is increasing every day. They are often arranged, along with other machines, in cells, each for a different step in the manufacturing process. A robot cell will typically consist of a robot controller (RC), the robot arm itself, a dedicated human machine interface (HMI) pendant, and the engineering software employed to program the robot. A single vendor typically supplies all four components. Meanwhile the entire manufacturing line is orchestrated separately by one or more programmable logic controllers (PLCs). The PLC interacts with the RC to synchronize the whole process.

A Solution Based on Standardization

Vendor and Protocol Independence

While currently being implemented via PROFINET, the standard can run over any communication protocol. The interface can be implemented just as well over OPC UA or any other industrial Ethernet protocol. The effort is driven by a collection of the world’s largest robot makers: ABB, Comau, Epson, Fanuc, Jaka, Kawasaki, Kuka, Nachi, Panasonic, Stäubli, TM Robot, Yamaha, Yaskawa, and more.

PLC vendors are welcome to participate in this effort as well. As of Q3 2021, the specification is fully written and currently under review at PI in preparation for public release. The Standard Robot Command Interface is being incorporated and fits well into the broader PI technology portfolio of PROFIBUS, PROFINET, IO-Link, and omlox. It is another step in the organization’s evolution from one focused purely on data communication to one helping speed up digitalization across the industrial space.

All about PROFIBUS, PROFINET, IO-Link and omlox in the UK

New “Profile for Robot Systems” Working Group gets started

Good news for plc and robot programmers.

In modern production lines, stationary robots are increasingly being integrated as a complete system so as to increase the degree of automation and reduce costs. As the production line is typically controlled by a PLC and the user carries out programming of the production line application using the programming system of the PLC, it’s necessary to control and program complete robot systems from different manufacturers for integration into the production line in a uniform way using the PLC programming system.

Against this backdrop, a uniform data interface between the PLC and robot controllers needs to be defined in order to make robot programming uniform – and therefore more efficient – for PLC programmers and PLC suppliers. This data interface has to make it possible to write robot programs fully within the PLC. As a result, the PLC manufacturer then only needs a single robot library based on this data interface and the robot manufacturer only has to implement a single interpreter for their robot controller. The robot functions are to be called over the data interface, and the required robot status information reported back to the PLC.

The primary target group of this interface concept are PLC and robot programmers who are implementing a machine or production line (OEM), including robots, but machine operators and system owners (end customers) benefit from this as well.

For implementation, all previously known robot functions are to be defined in this data interface in a manufacturer-neutral way, where the focus lies on application handling. The preliminary work of the “Standard Robot Command Interface” project group is to be used as a basis here.

*** End ***

Press contact:

PI (PROFIBUS & PROFINET International)

PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation e. V.

Barbara Weber

Haid-und-Neu-Str. 7

D-76131 karlsruhe, germany.

Phone: +49 (0) 7 21/96 58-5 49

Fax: +49 (0) 7 21/96 58-5 89

[email protected]

http://www.PROFIBUS.com

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Standard Robot Command Interface – Profinet for easy robot and PLC integration

Many medium-sized companies, whether in the food industry, the packaging industry or electronics suppliers, are increasingly turning to robot-assisted applications (pick & place). However, if you take a look at the practical implementation, there are some challenges to overcome. This is because every robot manufacturer today brings its own world of automation with it, including hardware and software, specific programming know-how, interfaces, controllers, operating devices, engineering systems, etc.

The production line is typically controlled by a PLC, and the user programs the production line application via the PLC’s programming system. If a company wants to integrate a robot into a higher-level, mostly PLC-controlled process, this is often very tedious.

Engineering and commissioning in particular are associated with a high level of complexity and a great deal of effort. First, the interface itself must be defined, followed by the PLC program, and then the program must be integrated on the robot controller. The definition of the interfaces is not standardized and must therefore be created again and again. This work is time-consuming and is not the focus of a user.

Innovation Shouldn’t Slow Down

Even in later operation, the workload remains high: every system maintenance, every update, the integration of a different type of robot or even a new manufacturer entails an abundance of work. To make matters worse, robot specialists are few and far between. Therefore, such work is usually outsourced to system integrators, which in turn means effort and expense. As a result, users of industrial robots usually have to decide early into which robot type and manufacturer they want to invest their effort. Innovative new solutions are therefore used less frequently.

Uniform Interface for Robots

For this reason, there has long been a desire for users to be able to uniformly control and program the complete robot systems of different manufacturers integrated in a production line via the PLC programming system.

Leading robot manufacturers – ABB, Comau, Epson, Fanuc, Jaka, Kawasaki, Kuka, Nachi, Panasonic, Stäubli, TM Robot, Yamaha, Yaskawa – joined forces at the initiative of Siemens to develop a solution. This meant that around 70 percent of the world’s robot manufacturers were on board. It took two years to find and develop the concept, which was anything but trivial. After all, the engineering and the runtime systems in the respective robots were launched on the market decades ago in some cases and have been continuously developed over these years. To give just one example: The same movements are currently represented quite differently in the engineering.

The joint work has paid off! Now, a uniform data interface between the PLC and the robot controllers has been defined to make robot programming uniform – and thus more efficient – for PLC programmers and PLC suppliers. Via this data interface, robot programs can be written completely in the PLC by calling the robot functions and reporting the required robot state information back to the PLC. The development, elaboration, and maintenance of the new data interface were placed in the hands of PI. For the development of this new robot profile, PI has set up a new “Robot Systems” working group and launched the “ Standard Robot Command Interface ”.

This data interface will first be mapped to PROFINET, since PROFINET has proven itself in many applications over many years, both on the part of the robot manufacturers and on the part of the PLC manufacturers.

On the robot side, the commands are converted into the local programming environment/language via the uniform interface (interpreter). On the PLC side, templates or higher-level commands can also be created that combine several actions on the data interface.

A Single Robot Library

As in other technologies, there will be different levels or classes in the robot interface. First, there will be a defined set of functions, which are necessary for all and for simple functions. Higher-level functions can then be added as an option. The focus is still on handling functions, e.g. pick & place applications. Functions such as jog mode, teaching of path points, creation and validation of a motion profile and changing configuration data are provided for this purpose. In the future, however, it is planned to integrate other applications, such as those of welding robots, as well.

Now the PLC manufacturer only needs a single robot library that contains the function blocks for programming robots from different manufacturers. The robot manufacturer also only needs to implement a single interpreter for his robot control. Programming is carried out entirely by the PLC automation specialists.

Users and manufacturers are convinced that this will significantly reduce the complexity of service and maintenance in robot-based applications.

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Mechatronics and Motion Control

Many medium-sized companies, whether in the food industry, the packaging industry or electronics suppliers, are increasingly turning to robot-assisted applications. However, there are some challenges to overcome when it comes to practical implementation. This is because every robot manufacturer today brings its own world of automation with it, including hardware and software, specific programming know-how, interfaces, controllers, operating devices, engineering systems, etc.

Source: Profinet

The production line is typically controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC), and the user programs the production line application via the PLC’s programming system. If a company wants to integrate a robot into a higher-level, mostly PLC-controlled process, this is often very tedious. Engineering and commissioning in particular are associated with a high level of complexity and a great deal of effort. The interface itself must first be defined, followed by the PLC program, and then the program must be integrated on the robot controller. The definition of the interfaces is not standardized and must therefore be created again and again. This work is time-consuming and is not the focus of a user.

Innovation shouldn’t slow down

Problem: Different libraries for different manufacturers’ robots make integration extremely time consuming. Courtesy: Profinet

Even in later operation, the workload remains high: system maintenance, system updates, integration of a different type of robot and working with new manufacturers. To make matters worse, robot specialists are few and far between. Such work is usually outsourced to system integrators, which in turn means effort and expense. As a result, users of industrial robots usually have to decide early into which robot type and manufacturer they want to invest their effort. Innovative new solutions are therefore used less frequently.

Uniform interface for robots

There has long been a desire for users to be able to uniformly control and program the complete robot systems of different manufacturers integrated in a production line via the PLC programming system.

Leading robot manufacturers – ABB, Comau, Epson, Fanuc, Jaka, Kawasaki, Kuka, Nachi, Panasonic, Stäubli, TM Robot, Yamaha, Yaskawa – joined forces at the initiative of Siemens to develop a solution. Around 70 percent of the world’s robot manufacturers were on board. It took two years to find and develop the concept, which was anything but trivial. The engineering and the runtime systems in the respective robots were launched on the market decades ago in some cases and have been continuously developed over these years. To give one example: The same movements are currently represented differently in the engineering.

The joint work has paid off. A uniform data interface between the PLC and the robot controllers has been defined to make robot programming uniform – and thus more efficient – for PLC programmers and PLC suppliers. Via this data interface, robot programs can be written completely in the PLC by calling the robot functions and reporting the required robot state information back to the PLC. The development, elaboration and maintenance of the new data interface were placed in the hands of PI. For the development of this new robot profile, PI has set up a new “Robot Systems” working group and launched the “Standard Robot Command Interface.”

Solution: A single manufacturer-independent library means programming the robot directly in the PLC. Courtesy: Profinet

On the robot side, the commands are converted into the local programming environment/language via the uniform interface. On the PLC side, templates or higher-level commands can also be created that combine several actions on the data interface.

A single robot library

Like other technologies, there will be different levels or classes in the robot interface. First, there will be a defined set of functions, which are necessary for simple functions. Higher-level functions can then be added as an option. However, the focus is still on handling functions. Functions such as jog mode, teaching of path points, creation and validation of a motion profile and changing configuration data are provided for this purpose. It is planned to integrate other applications in the future, such as those of welding robots.

Courtesy: Profinet

The PLC manufacturer only needs a single robot library that contains the function blocks for programming robots from different manufacturers. The robot manufacturer also only needs to implement a single interpreter for his robot control. Programming is carried out entirely by the PLC automation specialists.

Users and manufacturers are convinced that this will significantly reduce the complexity of service and maintenance in robot-based applications.

– Edited from a Profinet press release by Morgan Green, associate editor, CFE Media and Technology, mg[email protected] . Profinet is a CFE Media and Technology content partner.

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Programming robots inside Siemens controls will cut costs

The Italian robot-maker Comau has released a protocol that allows users of Siemens control systems to program Comau robots without leaving their Siemens ecosystem, thus saving time and cutting costs. The Next Generation Programming Platform (NGPP) works with Siemens’ Simatic robot library to eliminate the need for dedicated robot programming.

Comau estimates that the development could cut programming times up to 30% and make integration up to 40% faster. It says that these figures have been confirmed in a project with a major automotive customer, which was able to cut its configuration and programming costs by 30%.

The Next Generation Programming Platform implements the Uniform Robotics Data Interface (URDI) communications standard to simplify robot programming. Users can program one or more Comau robots via the same Siemens equipment that they are using for other applications and processes.

Automation products and cells can be managed without needing robot programming expertise. Efficiency and productivity can be improved without tough learning curves, making it easier for users of Siemens PLCs to add robots to their installations.

Potential applications include pick-and-place, boxing, palletising, logistics and end-of-line processes. It is possible to program Comau’s robots at the same time as Siemens virtual PLCs, allowing end-users and systems integrators to perfect their programming sequences, download the programs on-site, and start running robots immediately. The programming codes are re-usable.

Comau says the NGPP makes integrating robots into existing lines or processes straightforward for companies of any size, working in any industry. They simply use the same Siemens PLCs that are already deployed for other applications. The necessary “intelligence” is transferred instantly from the Siemens library to the robot.

“The successful integration of Comau’s robot controller with the Siemens ecosystem reflects the company’s on-going commitment to simplifying automation,” says Gaia Salvadore, Comau’s robotics and automation products segment leader. “It also represents an important step towards the easy-to-use vision of Comau for robotics.”

Tobias Fengel, marketing manager for robotics and electronics at Siemens Digital Industries adds that, together with robot-maker, “we are pioneers in offering the market the first seamless interface between industrial robotics and our Simatic robot library”.

Comau is owned by Stellantis, the Dutch-based automotive giant that was formed earlier this year by the 50-50 merger of the Italian-American conglomerate Fiat Chrysler Automobiles with the French PSA Group.

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RAPID: Robot Application Programming Interface Delegate

The Robot Application Programming Interface Delegate (RAPID) is a set of software data structures and routines that simplify the process of communicating between multiple diverse robots and their command and control systems. RAPID is not intended to be an all-encompassing API for robot communication, but rather it’s a compatibility layer that permits tools and robotic assets to exchange data and information and allows operators to communicate with heterogeneous robots in a uniform way. RAPID is a compatibility layer that delegates information between robots that speak different languages.

The RAPID specification includes definitions and APIs for messages and services that support supervisory telerobotics operations over near-Earth time delay. RAPID is not a middleware specification, although safety and time-delay capabilities do imply requirements on implementing middleware systems. As currently implemented, the RAPID system can be considered a software reference implementation for remote operations.

For more information, contact [email protected] .

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Comau and Siemens: Pioneers for a New and Easy-to-Use Robot Programming Approach

July 13, 2021

With the Comau Next Generation Programming Platform and Siemens Simatic Robot Library, companies can easily program and run Comau robots using Siemens software and systems.

Comau and Siemens: Pioneers for a New and Easy-to-Use Robot Programming Approach

July 13, 2021 - Comau is pleased to announce that it has successfully released its Comau Next Generation Programming Platform, a protocol that implements the Uniform Robotics Data Interface (URDI) communications standard to simplify robot programming. This implementation facilitates the complete integration of Comau’s robot family with the Siemens Simatic Robot Library, significantly reducing complexity within machine automation. Now, operators in any industry sector can easily program one or more Comau robots via the Siemens ecosystem they currently use for other applications and processes. The interface also delivers tangible cost and time savings, given that all automation products and cells can be managed without the need for specific competence in robotics programming. As such, companies can boost their efficiency and productivity without facing a challenging learning curve, which further reduces automation barriers for clients that have a consolidated use of the Siemens PLC and now want to introduce articulated robots. Working with a major automotive customer, Comau has been able to reduce configuration and programming costs by 30% using its robot controller with the Siemens Simatic Robot Library. Beyond automotive, applications include everything from end-of-line processes, pick and place, the management of boxing and palletizing operations to logistics and more. Another important benefit is the ability to virtually program Comau’s robots with the Siemens virtual PLC controller as a single operation. This enables end-users and Systems Integrators to perfect the programming sequence, download the program onsite and immediately begin running the robot. The Comau Next Generation Programming Platform let integrating robotics into an existing line or process become straightforward and intuitive, a concept that is fully aligned with Comau’s vision of making robotics accessible to end users. As such, it also mirrors the company’s HUMANufacturing approach, through which industrial equipment and human operators work together in complete safety and with the help of innovative digital technologies. By removing barriers to automation, Comau is well-positioned to support companies of any size, in any industry, enjoy higher productivity. They simply use the same Siemens PLC that is already deployed for other applications and all the necessary “intelligence” is instantly transferred from the Siemens library to the robot without any extra work. “The successful integration of Comau’s robot controller with the Siemens ecosystem reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to simplifying automation,” explained Gaia Salvadore, Robotics and Automation Products segment leader. “It also represents an important step towards the Easy-to-Use vision of Comau for Robotics.” “Together with Comau, we are pioneers in offering the market the first seamless interface between industrial robotics and our Simatic Robot Library,” said Tobias Fengel, marketing manager Robotics & Electronics at Siemens DI. “In addition to Comau’s industrial automation expertise, this milestone is the result of our longstanding collaboration and will undoubtedly help companies extend their use of our joint technologies.”

About Comau

Comau , a member of Stellantis, is a worldwide leader in delivering advanced industrial automation products and systems. Its portfolio includes technology and systems for electric, hybrid and traditional vehicle manufacturing, industrial robots, collaborative and wearable robotics, autonomous logistics, dedicated machining centers and interconnected digital services and products able to transmit, elaborate and analyze machine and process data. With over 45 years of experience and a strong presence within every major industrial country, Comau is helping manufacturers of all sizes in almost any industry experience higher quality, increased productivity, faster time-to-market and lower overall costs. The company’s offering also extends to project management and consultancy, as well as maintenance and training for a wide range of industrial segments. Headquartered in Turin, Italy, Comau has an international network of 7 innovation centers, 5 digital hubs, 8 manufacturing plants and employs more than 9,000 people in 14 countries. A global network of distributors and partners allows the company to respond quickly to the needs of customers, no matter where they are located throughout the world. Through the training activities organized by its Academy, Comau is also committed to developing the technical and managerial knowledge necessary for companies to face the challenges and opportunities of Industry 4.0.

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What Are Robots Made Of?
Robots are made of three main components: the controller, mechanical parts and sensors. The type of materials that make up the different components will vary depending on the type of robot. These components can be metal or plastic, but usua...
PROFINET and robot interfaces
A number of robot manufacturers have joined forces to develop a uniform interface to PLC's. Thanks to this new data interface, named 'Standard Robot Command
A Uniform Interface for Robots
The Standard Robot Command Interface is being incorporated and fits well into the broader PI technology portfolio of PROFIBUS, PROFINET, IO-Link
New "Profile for Robot Systems" Working Group gets started -
Against this backdrop, a uniform data interface between the PLC and robot controllers needs to be defined in order to make robot programming
Standard Robot Command Interface
A uniform data interface between the PLC and the robot controllers has been defined to make robot programming uniform.
Focusing on ease-of-use: Robot integration
A uniform data interface between the PLC and the robot controllers has been defined to make robot programming uniform – and thus more
Programming robots inside Siemens controls will cut costs
The Next Generation Programming Platform implements the Uniform Robotics Data Interface (URDI) communications standard to simplify robot
Universal Robots Set to Complete Interface for Siemens
Through the TIA portal, users can benefit from a uniform robot connection, which allows robot manufacturers to integrate any robot on the market
SIMATIC Robot Integrator
The SIMATIC Robot Library provides a uniform interface between the SIMATIC
RAPID: Robot Application Programming Interface Delegate
The Robot Application Programming Interface Delegate (RAPID) is a set of software data structures and routines that simplify the process of communicating
Comau and Siemens: Pioneers for a New and Easy-to-Use Robot
... a protocol that implements the Uniform Robotics Data Interface (URDI) communications standard to simplify robot programming.
(PDF) New trends in industrial robot controller user interfaces
for robotic fabrication processes that enable seamless communication and data