No Code Robotics Enable Automation For Everyone
Automation is now more possible with software that enables untrained users to program industrial robots with a few clicks.
16 Feb, 2023. 7 min read
Image credit: Fuzzy Logic Robotics
Introduction
Industrial automation is the implementation of robotics and computer software to control machinery and processes which replace human beings in performing specific functions. Not only can automation increase productivity, but it can also create safer workspaces, reduce waste and drive innovation through saved time, effort, and financial risk. Production lines of all sizes are eager to bring automation and robotics to their facilities to leverage these advantages. However, despite the strong growth of the sector, the barriers to automation, particularly for SMEs, are high.
While access to buying or leasing industrial robots and cobots is becoming easier, finding the expertise to program robots for customized production lines is hard. Most industrial robots are hard-coded, while specialized robot programmers are in high demand and costly.
For automation to truly make significant changes to the industry, the gap between the technology and the implementation must be addressed. France-based Fuzzy Logic Robotics is one such company working to solve these challenges.
The current barriers to automation
Automation of all or part of production lines is an urgent priority for companies to remain competitive. Two common barriers to automation, particularly for SMEs, are
- High financial and organizational risk. Automation requires a significant financial and organizational investment. This is possibly highly disruptive for an SME with complex lines who are working within thin margins of time and resource constraints. An automation implementation failure can have dire consequences.
Researching, purchasing or leasing, and deploying a robotics solution has time, organizational and financial risks that can be difficult to predict. The lack of availability of roboticists or other programmers to correct and adjust production line programming is a significant barrier for companies to adopt new technologies.
- Lack of flexibility and customizability. Once the user decides on an automation solution, deviating from what was initially committed can be difficult due to the hard programming of robotics to attend to specific tasks. On complex and highly customized production lines, this is an even higher barrier to adoption.
Overcoming barriers to automation
Automation can be a driver for innovation, it also introduces a new set of data to a production line that can be used to accelerate precision, analysis, and learning that benefits the entire business. However, for automation to be more widely and rapidly adopted, it needs to be more user-friendly and have a lower risk of implementation.
Fuzzy Logic Robotics: No code robotic programming
Fuzzy Logic Robotics is a software and computing company from France determined to bring automation to all. Their product addresses one of the largest barriers to automation: robotics programming. They are bringing a new paradigm to industrial robotics allowing untrained users to program robots for industrial automation tasks. They have a simple mission, which is to help factories power up their competitiveness and autonomy by making robots adapt to them - not the other way around.
Their core product, Fuzzy Studio, is an intuitive no-code robotic programming and simulation product. It allows users to visual no-code robot programming and simulation and is specifically designed for people who are not robotics experts. Importantly it is compatible with major robotic brands - so that SMEs can have the best technology without needing an in-house programming team. Fuzzy Studio enables both offline and online robotic programming.
- Program any robot - no coding skills necessary
The Fuzzy Studio enables any user to program a robot, it uses a 3D simulated environment that guides you through the robot's actions while the programming code is automatically generated. The ease of programming enables low-risk experimentation on the production line to achieve the best results.
- Design and simulate robotic workcells
For SMEs with complex or highly customized production lines, there is a high need for processes to be changed with agility in response to changes in demand and product innovation. Fuzzy Studio enables its users to design, simulate and modify an entire robotic process in just a few clicks. The software allows anyone to layout, test, and reconfigure their robotic workcell.
This allows production lines to check reachability, collisions, and cycle time to refine the project and de-risk the robotic investments. For users with an existing workcell, you can model it in Fuzzy Studio to give yourself a fully functioning digital twin for offline programming.
- Generate trajectories from CAD
Using Fuzzy Studio’s intelligent trajectory generation tools, you can automatically generate complex trajectories for your process directly from the 3D parts in your scene. Fuzzy Studio provides a collection of trajectory generators that understand CAD and/or 3D models and transform hours of painstaking coding to a few clicks.
Fuzzy Studio works by providing different generators of waypoints and trajectories for the robot that needs programming. Beyond which three of them are directly related to the CAD file: contouring, surfacing, and click on surface. Contouring detects the multiple edges of a shape or a sub-part of a 3D model and will create a list of waypoints covering these edges. Surfacing will create a list of waypoints covering a selected area of a 3D, slicing it the way you want, whatever the complexity of the shape. It's ideal for applications like sanding or polishing, for example. And clicking on the surface will allow you to click wherever you want on the 3D model to create a waypoint that may be used wherever on a trajectory.
Fuzzy Studio includes a growing library of interactive 3D robot models from the major brands of industrial robot manufacturers (ABB, FANUC, KUKA, Staübli, Universal Robot, et Yaskawa). New models are added often, and the company collaborates with robotic companies to meet their exacting specifications so that you have the most accurate and up-to-date models ready to use.
- Control and program your robot in real-time
Fuzzy Studio’s compatibility with Fuzzy RTOS allows users to take control of the real robot. Don’t just simulate your robotic system; run it on the real deal. In one click, connect your simulation to your real system. Easily reprogram, repurpose, and monitor your production system for full control.
- Communicate with external devices
The Fuzzy Logic exchange table configuration tool allows users to configure software I/O (Input/Output). This enables a robot to communicate with the different elements of its workcell. They can be used to send and receive information with external devices, such as sensors, actuators, PLCs, and other software. Once configured, I/O can be used during the execution of a trajectory to send and receive information in real time.
The logic table simplifies the way to make a third party devices communicate with your robot. It breaks down the relationship between robot and equipment making it simple for users to understand the logic and create more complex programs than "just" path following.
Conclusion
Industrial automation is critical for all sectors to innovate, stay competitive, and meet sustainability standards. SMEs must be provided with lower-risk methods to automate for them to be able to leverage the advantages of automation and drive innovation across industry. Fuzzy Logic Robotics simplifies robotic programming enabling anyone to automate using intuition software tools. Automation's future will rely on tools that enable companies to take control of their automation journey.
About the sponsor: Fuzzy Logic Robotics
Fuzzy Logic’s intuitive no-code software solutions power the next generation of easy-to-use robotic applications for the millions of factories who need flexible automation tools for their production, but don’t have the robotics expertise to do so. Fuzzy Logic provides these factories and their integrators with the technology and support to automate what was previously thought impossible by making robotics accessible to everyone.
References
2. https://www.chg-meridian.co.uk/resource-centre/blog/industrial-automation-and-robotics.html
3. https://www.chg-meridian.co.uk/resource-centre/blog/industrial-automation-and-robotics.html