So far the machine-builder had often to use different engineering systems regarding machine automation and robots. So the engineering expenses increased, of course. And with his customer, the end-user, two operator panels had to be operated, one for the machine and a second one for robots - no favorable situation for fast and reliable entries for production and trouble shooting.
In the interview KUKA outlines in detail, which benefits the command interface mxAutomation opens for machine-builders and end-users.
mxAutomation applies for the general machinery industry. With mxAutomation a separate engineering system for the robot is omitted. In fact, the programming of the robot is carried out within the engineering system of the control system. So the machine-builder remains in his familiar engineering world using his know-how about the programming of machines for the programming of robots.
mxAutomation is integrable as software in the control systems of Siemens Sinumerik, Simatic S7 and Rockwell Logix Controller enabling thereby the use in Europe, Asia and America. Beyond that mxAutomation supports CODESYS based control system platforms such as Beckhoff.
Dr. Strobel and Philipp Kremer draft mxAutomation's mode of operation. They stress the possibility for the machine-builder of writing individual, protected software solutions for special movement profiles of the robot thereby enhancing competitive advantages. That is supporting the related trend in the German machinery industry.
For the end-user mxAutomation offers the Single-Point-of-Operation – only one terminal for machine and robot. By simple key press, if necessary, the operator switches between machine and robot back and forth looking at the robot on the display in the same kind as at the machine.
With the end-user, the service, whose qualification for the control system is adequate, connects his engineering tool and looks at the entire robot program by mxAutomation, the display visualizes the robot axes in the familiar way of the machine axes.
So the higher efficiency by the robots' use proceeds in the operation and service of machines with robots. The result is a unified efficiency increase of production.
The link to the interview is http://www.quest-trendmagazine.com/...