Tool Change

Robot Controller
1

happy new year everybody!:+1:
In 2008 we were success to show IRB 6620 in an exhibition. In this year we’re going to improve our robot performance in packaging handling. We hope that the robot can change the tool (gripper) automatically and need no teaching. We want some information if ABB have a Tool Changer or not. If yes, what type is that compatible with our robot.
The second question, is it need a software or not?
The third question, is it possible to change the tool manually without teaching? I mean that we use a different procedure to a different tool. In other word, is it possible to applicate a different tooldata to a different procedure in the same program?

Thank you very much for your sharing.
God bless you

2

Hello,
Congratulations on your success for 2008 and hope you have much more for 2009.

ABB does not have an automatic robotic tool exchanger. There are many companies that do provide exchangers. ATI http://www.ati-ia.com/ , Robotic Accessories http://www.rad-ra.com/index.asp and RoboHand http://www.destaco.com/index.asp?site=7 are examples. Tool exchangers add weight and distance to your gripper solution.

There is no special software to run these. You will need write a rapid routine to handle pnuematic solenoids to engage and disengage the tool from the holder. Multiple tools normally have a rack that holds the different tools. You will need to program the pickup and drop off of the tools. Each tool will have it’s own tooldata.

If you want to use the same Move instruction with different tooldata this can be done through Rapid. Assign a number (nActiveTool) when picking the tool.

TEST nActiveTool
CASE 1:
tGrip:=tgripper1;
CASE 2:
tGrip:=tgripper2;
ENDTEST
MoveL pGripPos,v100,fine,tGrip;

Hope this helps

Best Regards

3

Hello,

I can also recommend:
http://www.robotsystemproducts.com/
Hope this helps.

Regards,