Differenze

Queste sono le differenze tra la revisione selezionata e la versione attuale della pagina.

--- robodk [2023/05/23 21:07] – [Going further] admin
+++ robodk [2024/03/13 10:40] (versione attuale) – [Introduction to RoboDK] admin
@@ Linea 3: / Linea 3: @@
 ===== Introduction to RoboDK =====
-[[https://robodk.com/|RoboDK]] is a software used to simulate and program a wide variety of industrial robots. It's a commercial software but it has both a free version((with limited features)) you can use at home as well as an education version, which is the one installed at school. We'll use this application as an mean to introduce robotics in our course.
+[[https://robodk.com/|RoboDK]] is a software used to simulate and program a wide variety of industrial robots. It's a commercial software but it has a free version((with limited features)) you can use at home as well as an education version, which is the one installed at school. We will use this application as a means of introducing robotics in our course.
-RoboDK is used to simulate a robot station, that is a robot and its work environment. This allows for testing multiple scenarios before deploying the robot in production and avoid possible mistakes. A large library of robots from different manufacturers is available and, other than simulating them, RoboDK can generate software you can run on the actual robot, thereby acting as a vendor-independent off-line programming tool.
+RoboDK is used to simulate a robot station, that is a robot and its working environment. This allows for testing multiple scenarios before deploying the robot in production and avoid possible mistakes. A large library of robots from different manufacturers is available and, besides simulating them, RoboDK can generate software you can run on the actual robot, thereby acting as a vendor-independent off-line programming tool.
-More interesting features are:
+Further significant features are:
   * GUI based, no programming skills needed
   * [[https://web.robodk.com/web|web application]] available
   * extensive support ([[https://robodk.com/doc/en/Getting-Started.html|documentation]], [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjiA6TvRACQd8pL0EnE9Djc_SCH7wxxXl|video tutorials]], [[https://robodk.com/forum/|forum]])
-At the moment using this software is the best fit for our school because we can get started in robotics before having an actual robot in our labs. That said, offline programming will still be useful when we'll buy one because in a multi-seat classroom environment it allows for each student to write his own program independently.
+At the moment this software constitutes the best fit for our school as we can get started with robotics before having an actual robot in our labs. Nonetheless, offline programming will still be useful when we buy one since it allows students to develop their own program individually.
 ===== Lesson 1: Adding a robot and its tool =====
-Let's launch RoboDK and start our first project. The user interface is quite simple: there are a menu and a toolbar on top, a tree view of the robot station on the left and, when opened, a window on the right to manage object  properties and control the robot. The rest of the screen is a blue area where the 3D model of the robot and its work environment is drawn.
+Let's launch RoboDK and start our first project. The user interface is quite simple: there are a menu and a toolbar on top, a tree view of the robot station on the left and, when opened, a window on the right to manage object  properties and control the robot. The remaining area shows a 3D model of the robot and its working environment.
 {{::robodkui.png|}}
-Every project consist of a robot station plus a number of objects nested inside it:
+Every project consists of a robot station which has the following objects inside:
   * the robot
   * the robot tool
   * a list of targets for the robot tool
-  * programs with joint movements and other instructions
+  * programs with joint movements and further instructions
-In an empty project only one thing is shown: the origin of the robot station with its //reference frame//. A reference frame is a coordinate system that allows placing objects in the 3D space with respect to it. It appears on screen as a set of three arrows with:
+An empty project only shows the origin of the robot station with its //reference frame//. A reference frame is a coordinate system that allows placing objects in a 3D space with respect to it. It appears on screen as a set of three arrows with:
   * the x axis in red
   * the y axis in green
   * the z axis in blue
-The axes names can be shown ticking an option in the //Display// tab reached from //Tools|Options// in the menu.
+The axes names can be shown by ticking an option in the //Display// tab reached from //Tools|Options// in the menu.
 A Reference Frame defines the location of an item with respect to another item, with a given position and orientation. An item can be an object, a robot or another reference frame. It must be noted that when a reference frame is moved every nested object moves along with it.
@@ Linea 40: / Linea 40: @@
 ==== Adding a robot ====
-Robots can be added to the project with the //Open robot library// button in the toolbar (it's the world shaped one). Clicking it opens a page in the browser showing all the available robots. It is possible to narrow down the list using filters based on brand, payload, reach and more. Let's say we want to add a Yaskawa HC10 cobot; first we select the Yaskawa brand, the we reduce the payload range and finally, scrolling down, we click //Open// when we  foind the exact model we are looking for. The robot is automatically downloaded from the page, added to the project and displayed in the 3D work space. On the left we can see that two new objects were added to the robot station:
+Robots can be added to the project with the //Open robot library// button in the toolbar (it is the world shaped one). By clicking it, a page in the browser is opened to show all the available robots. It is possible to narrow down the list by using filters based on brand, payload, reach and more. Let's say we want to add a //Yaskawa HC10// cobot; first we select the Yaskawa brand, the we reduce the payload range and finally, we scroll down to click //Open// when we  find the exact model we are looking for. The robot is automatically downloaded from the page, added to the project and displayed in the 3D work space. On the left we can see that two new objects are added to the robot station:
   * a reference frame for the robot base
   * the robot itself
-A double click on these object opens a side window on the right. The //base frame details// window shows its coordinates with respect to the station reference frame. A different reference frame and alternate coordinates formats are available clicking the respective drop-down buttons. It is also possible to move the base frame entering new values in the coordinates fields. The //robot panel// window has similar reference frame information as well as controls for joint axes movements.
+A double click on these object opens a side window on the right. The //base frame details// window shows its coordinates with respect to the station reference frame. A different reference frame and alternate coordinates formats are available by clicking the respective drop-down buttons. It is also possible to move the base frame by entering new values in the coordinates fields. The //robot panel// window has similar reference frame information as well as controls for joint axes movements.
-Now in the main window two new sets of arrows are also shown: the //robot base// and the //robot flange// reference frames.
+Now in the main window two new sets of arrows are shown: the //robot base// and the //robot flange// reference frames.
 ==== Navigation ====
-Before adding a tool to the robot let's see how navigation in the 3D space works. The main actions are:
+Before adding a tool to the robot let's see how navigation in a 3D space works. The main actions are:
   * select, clicking the left button of the mouse
   * pan, clicking the scroll wheel button and moving the mouse
@@ Linea 55: / Linea 55: @@
   * zoom, using the mouse wheel
 Two buttons in the toolbar can be used to set default views:
-  * fit all (the one with the four arrows)
+  * fit all (the one with four arrows)
-  * default views (the one with the blue cube and the drop.down list)
+  * default views (the one with a blue cube and drop.down list)
 ==== Adding a tool ====
-A robot is useless without an end-effector. Tools ca be added from the robot library just like we did before, just choose //tool// in the //type// filter of the library. For our example project let's look for the //Generic Dispenser// tool and click //open//. The tool is automatically added to the flange of the robot and a new reference frame is displayed on its end. This new frame is called //TPC// (//tool center point//) and is positioned and oriented according to the tool's task. This is the place where the tool action is performed and the is one frame we need to move and control to get the robot's job done. On the robot panel window we can see how its pose is defined with respect to the robot flange or some other reference frame.
+A robot is useless without an end-effector. Tools ca be added from the robot library just like we've done before, just choose //tool// in the //type// filter of the library. For our example project let's look for the //Generic Dispenser// tool and click //open//. The tool is automatically added to the flange of the robot and a new reference frame is displayed on its end. This new frame is called //TCP// (//tool center point//) and is positioned and oriented according to the tool task. This is the place where the tool action is performed and is the only frame we need to move and control to get the robot job done. On the robot panel window we can see how its pose is defined with respect to the robot flange or some other reference frame.
 ===== Lesson 2: programming the robot =====
-In a typical robot application you define targets to be reached then write a program consisting of:
+In a typical robot application you define targets to be reached then write a program which consists of:
   * joint movements to reach these targets
   * actions to be performed
-Targets are defined manually moving the robot to the desired position then clicking the //add new target for the selected robot// button in the toolbar. It is good practice to define these targets with respect to some reference frame other than the robot base frame. Such additional frame can be created clicking the //add reference frame// button in the toolbar and setting its position according to the robot work environment. It could be a corner of a table where object are picked, an edge of an object to be painted, and so on.
+Targets are defined by manually moving the robot to the desired position then by clicking the //add new target for the selected robot// button in the toolbar. It is good practice to define these targets with respect to some reference frame different from the robot base frame. Such additional frame can be created by clicking the //add reference frame// button in the toolbar and setting its position according to the robot working environment. It could be a corner of a table where objects are picked, an edge of an object to be painted, and so on.
 ==== Moving the robot ====
-In a moment we'll see how to move the robot but fist it should be noted that every robot imported from the library has its own home position. When first imported in the project the robot is drawn in this default position, but you can always move it back there:
+In a moment we will see how to move the robot but first it should be noted that every robot imported from the library has its own home position. When first imported in the project the robot is drawn in default position, but you can always move it back there:
-  * right-clicking on the robot name in the station tree and choosing //Move home//
+  * by right-clicking on the robot name in the station tree and choosing //Move home//
-  * clicking the //Home// button in the //Joint Axis jog// panel in the robot panel window
+  * by clicking the //Home// button in the //Joint Axis jog// panel in the robot panel window
 There are different methods to move the robot:
   * using the //joint axis jog// section of the robot panel, where every axis can be moved independently
-  *  selecting one translation/rotation axis and using the spinning the wheel just above((see also the workspace radio-button options on the right))
+  *  selecting one translation/rotation axis and using the spinning wheel just above((see also the workspace radio-button options on the right))
-  * typing-in the coordinates in the //cartesian jog// section (you'll want to use the //tool frame with respect to reference frame// fields)
+  * typing-in the coordinates in the //cartesian jog// section (you will want to use the //tool frame with respect to reference frame// fields)
-  * holding down the //Alt// button on the keyboard((or clicking the middle white-arrow button in the toolbar)) and than, for any reference frame, dragging the arrows, to move along a particular axis or dragging any of the three colored squares, to move in a particular plane
+  * holding down the //Alt// button on the keyboard((or by clicking the middle white-arrow button in the toolbar)) and than, for any reference frame, dragging the arrows, to move along a particular axis or dragging any of the three colored squares, to move in a particular plane
 The last method is by far the most convenient, especially when using the TCP reference frame.
 ==== Adding an object ====
-Now that we know how to move the robot let's add a new reference frame, an object and some targets.
+Now that we know how to move the robot, let's add a new reference frame, an object and some targets.
-To add a reference frame just click the //Add a Reference Frame// button in the toolbar (three arrows and a plus sign). Now rename it to //object frame// right-clicking it in the station tree and choosing //Rename//. Next change its position double-clicking its name in the station tree and entering ''800'' in the X coordinate and ''0'' in the Y coordinate((this method allows for precise positioning but you can also move the reference frame with the //Alt// key and the mouse)).
+To add a reference frame just click the //Add a Reference Frame// button in the toolbar (three arrows and a plus sign). Now rename it to //object frame// by right-clicking it in the station tree and choosing //Rename//. Next change its position by double-clicking its name in the station tree and entering ''800'' in the X coordinate and ''0'' in the Y coordinate((this method allows for precise positioning but you can also move the reference frame with the //Alt// key and the mouse)).
 To add a new object click the //Open robot library// button then choose //Box// in the //Type// section to filter results. Now open the first item, //Box 12x7in (Closed)//. The new object should be nested in the new reference frame. If it's not, drag-and-drop it in the //object frame// from the station tree((now you could try moving the //object frame// and see how the nested box moves with it)).
@@ Linea 93: / Linea 93: @@
 ==== Adding targets ====
-We'll now add some targets so that the robot, starting from its home position, moves to a corner in the top of the box, then travels along the four edges and finally comes back to its home position. This kind of path could be used to seal the top of an object using a glue dispenser tool.
+We will now add some targets so that the robot will move to the corner in the top of the box then travels along the four edges and finally comes back to its home position. This kind of path could be used to seal the top of an object by using a glue dispensing tool.
-Let's add the first target. Fist move the robot to its home position than click the //Add new target for the selected robot// button in the toolbar (the one with a target and a plus sign). Rename the target as //home// from the station tree.
+Let's add the first target. First move the robot to its home position than click the //Add new target for the selected robot// button in the toolbar (the one with a target and a plus sign). Rename the target as //home// from the station tree.
-We now need four more targets at each corner of the box. Getting their exact position manually moving the robot could be tricky; that's why we'll use the //Teach target(s) on Surface// feature from the //Program// menu. When selecting it a window opens on the left side showing some options. We'll select the //Automatically extract surface corners// button so that when moving the mouse above the top surface of the box the robot follows it while keeping its TCP perpendicular to the surface. Now move the TCP to the four corners and click the left-button to add  targets. While doing so panning, rotating and zooming helps picking the correct position. If necessary, wrong targets can be deleted right clicking their name and selecting //Delete// while choosing //Options// from the same menu helps fine tuning the target position.
+We now need four more targets at each corner of the box. Getting their exact position by manually moving the robot could be tricky; that is why we will use the //Teach target(s) on Surface// feature from the //Program// menu. When selecting it a window opens on the left side showing some options. We will select the //Automatically extract surface corners// button so that when moving the mouse above the top surface of the box the robot follows it while keeping its TCP perpendicular to the surface. Now move the TCP to the four corners and click the left-button to add  targets. While doing so panning, rotating and zooming help picking the correct position. If necessary, wrong targets can be deleted by right clicking their names and selecting //Delete// while choosing //Options// from the same menu helps fine tuning the target position.
 ==== Movements and programs ====
-Once targets are added you can click them, one after another, to move the robot to their respective position. This is indeed useful to preview robot movements. Now it's time to precisely define the robot's behavior creating a program and adding instructions to specify movements and other actions to be performed. To do so click the //Add Program// button in the toolbar (the one with the white sheet and the plus sign). A new item is added to the station tree called //Prog1//; rename it to //approach//.
+Once targets are added you can click on them, one after the other, to move the robot to their respective position. This is indeed useful to preview robot movements. Now it is time to precisely define the robot behavior by creating a program and adding instructions to specify movements and other actions to be performed. To do so click the //Add Program// button in the toolbar (the one with the white sheet and the plus sign). A new item is added to the station tree called //Prog1//; rename it to //approach//.
-Movement instructions are added selecting a target then clicking one of the three move buttons in the toolbar (the ones with the yellow arrows):
+Movement instructions are added by selecting a target then clicking one of the three move buttons in the toolbar (the ones with yellow arrows):
   * //Move Joint// results in a curved movement between two joints
-  * //Move Linear// results in a curved movement between two joints
+  * //Move Linear// results in a straight movement between two joints
-  * //Move Circular// results in a circular movement starting from a target and going through two more
+  * //Move Circular// results in a circular movement starting from a target and going through two extra ones
-Joint movements are the most used but for certain applications, such as moving along the edges of a box, linear movements are required. That said, select the first target on the box and click the //Move Joint// button. You'll see three items added to the //approach// program: one sets a reference frame, one sets the robot tool and one is the move instruction to the selected target (starting from home). The program we just created moves the TCP from the home target to the box; we'll write two more, one for the box movements and one to get back home, and than call all of them from a main program.
+Joint movements are the most used but for certain applications, such as moving along the edges of a box, linear movements are required. That said, select the first target on the box and click the //Move Joint// button. You will see three items added to the //approach// program: one sets a reference frame, one sets the robot tool and one is the move instruction to the selected target (starting from home). The program we have just created moves the TCP from the home target to the box; we will write two extra ones, one for the box movements and one to get back home, and call all of them from a main program.
-Let's add a new program and call it //box//. One at a time, select the three remaining targets on the box and than the first one again. Add //Move Linear// instruction to go through each one of them. Once done, execute the program double-clicking //box// in the station tree: you should see the TCP moving straight along the defined path, which is shown as a yellow line. Let's add one last program and call it //retract//. Select the //home// target and add a //Move Joint// instruction to come back to it.
+Let's add a new program and call it //box//. One at a time, select the three remaining targets on the box and then the first one again. Add //Move Linear// instructions to go through each one of them. Once done, execute the program by double-clicking //box// in the station tree: you should see the TCP moving straight along the defined path, which is shown as a yellow line. Let's add one last program and call it //retract//. Select the //home// target and add a //Move Joint// instruction to return to it.
-There's one thing left: creating a main program that calls the three sub-programs within it. The easiest way to accomplish this is to select the three sub-programs - clicking their name while holding down the //CTRL// key - then right-clicking and and selecting //Make Main program//. A new item is added to the station tree called //MainProgram// with nested calls to the sub-programs. It is possible to re-arrange the program calls or add other instructions between the calls (for example you could change the robot speed using the //Set Speed// instruction). Our simulation is now complete: let's test the program double-clicking //MainProgram//. You'll see the robot move, while executing its program. When the simulation is running a task bar, with a slider and some control buttons, is shown in the lower part of the screen. You can use it to pause or restart the simulation, and keep track of the time taken to complete it.
+There's one thing left: creating a main program that calls the three sub-programs. The easiest way to accomplish this is to select the three sub-programs - clicking their names while holding down the //CTRL// key - then by right-clicking and and selecting //Make Main program//. A new item is added to the station tree called //MainProgram// with nested calls to the sub-programs. It is possible to re-arrange the program calls or add more instructions between the calls (for example you could change the robot speed by using the //Set Speed// instruction). Our simulation is now complete: let's test the program by double-clicking //MainProgram//. You will see the robot move while executing its program. When the simulation is running, a task bar with a slider and some control buttons is shown in the lower part of the screen. You can use it to pause or restart the simulation and keep track of the time taken to complete it.
 ===== Going further =====
-That's it for now. This was a very brief introduction to RoboDK usage. You can learn more on robot simulation starting from the Resources section of [[https://robodk.com/|its webpage]].
+That's it for now. This was a brief introduction to RoboDK usage(({{ ::clil.zip |here}} you can download the project we just created)). You can learn more on robot simulation from the Resources section of [[https://robodk.com/|its webpage]].