Industrial automation integrator RobotWorx yesterday announced a strategic partnership with robot software maker OCTOPUZ Inc. The collaboration will enable RobotWorx to expand its offerings with OCTOPUZ’s offline robot programming.

RobotWorx sells new and reconditioned industrial robots, parts, systems, and integration for both large and small companies throughout North America and Australia. The Marion, Ohio-based company has more than 25 years of experience integrating robots for a wide variety of applications. It is an official FANUC Authorized System Integrator, a Yaskawa Motoman Solution Provider, an ABB Robotics Integrator, and a KUKA Robotics System Partner.

For the past 15 years, Waterloo, Ontario-based OCTOPUZ Inc. has designed, developed, implemented, and customized its offline robot programming (OLRP) software for industrial applications. It said its product can help companies become more efficient, enter new markets, and expand their business potential by simplifying robotic programming.

Programming robots in virtual cells

Traditional robotic programming requires downtime and manual manipulation of a teach pendant, said RobotWorx. Software from OCTOPUZ enables path-sensitive, complex robot applications to be programmed without disrupting manufacturing processes, said the companies.

With OCTOPUZ’s OLRP software, users can create detailed virtual simulations of their real-world robot cells, complete with machinery and manufacturing components, in minutes, said RobotWorx.

Within this virtual cell, OCTOPUZ uses built-in machine logic to automatically identify the optimal tool-path trajectory and program the required code for a multitude of industrial tasks. The code is then accurately converted to the robot brand’s unique language for use in the real world, said the company.

OCTOPUZ can remove the traditional limitations of automation by enabling robot programming to be completed virtually, on a computer, while the robots are still online and working, said RobotWorx.

RobotWorx, OCTOPUZ features

RobotWorx said the new system will offer the following benefits to customers:

• Simplified toolpath programming: An intuitive, user-friendly software interface can enable non-experts to program complex robot applications. They can program through import from CAD or CAM software or natively in OCTOPUZ.
  Automatically detecting and avoiding errors: Customers can quickly resolve potential tool-path errors including singularities, joint limits, reach limits, and collisions.
• Validating robotic processes through simulation: The software can ensure that the robot will perform tasks as expected through start-to-finish simulation.
• Programming and posting multi-robot cells: Users can program, simulate, and generate code for multiple robots in a single cell.
• A single platform for all robot brands: An extensive component library provides support for many robot brands in any configuration, said RobotWorx.
• Supporting all robot manufacturing processes: OCTOPUZ and RobotWorx said they support welding, machining, cutting, spraying, additive manufacturing, and everything in between.
• Reducing production downtime: Customers can reprogram new robot functions in hours rather than days, without ever taking the robot offline, said the companies.

To learn how to transition from a traditional teach pendant to offline robot programming with OCTOPUZ, consult with a RobotWorx applications engineer today.