A function block based approach using assembly features for controlling virtual and real industrial robots

Abstract

The aim of the project consists of designing, programming and implementing a control system for virtual manufacturing equipment. It is required to create an assembly feature using Function Blocks control system based in the IEC 61499 standard. According to the standard the nxtStudio software is going to be used to develop the control architecture, assembly features, programming the control logic, algorithms and the communication with function blocks required for the task. In this occasion, a virtual robot is being used to test the program. The virtual robot is developed with the ABB software ‘RobotStudio’. It is necessary to communicate nxtStudio system with the virtual robot within the RobotStudio. The chosen solution for this matter is the development of an Application Programming Interface (API) in Visual Studio/C# software. The main advantage of working with virtual systems is the existing possibility of testing the robot while the manufacturing system is working. Another important advantage is that it is possible to experiment different configurations to obtain improvements in the system without damaging the equipment. These advantages are made in order to save important costs to companies. Thanks to these systems companies are able to satisfy the ever increasing demand on the quantity, quality and variability of products, saving unnecessary costs or stop the manufacturing.