ABB Robotics has introduced RobotWare 6, the latest version of its robot controller software. The updated software affords manufacturers greater flexibility and reliability, with an extensive toolbox for developers and a broad range of communications capabilities. The enhancements improve the programming and control of robotic systems and equipment, without sacrificing ABB's unique brand of motion control and safety.
RobotWare 6 comes with improved installation features, including "Installation Manager," highlighted by a flexible application licensing mechanism for developers, and a new and intuitive user interface that vastly improves robot set-up time and system reconfiguration.
Another new, powerful feature found in RobotWare is "Externally Guided Motion" (EGM), which, with the aid of external sensors, provides operators with more precise control over robot motion. The new functionality also allows integrators to further optimize cell design and production flows. The sensors provide the ability to input absolute positions, and to modify the robot's path. Paths can be updated every four milliseconds with a controller lag of between eight to 20 milliseconds, depending on the type of robot.
With the RobotWare 6 upgrade, installation time is shorter, jogging is more responsive, and restarts are quicker, all combining to provide improved productivity.
