Research project “Robonet 4.0” uses Motoman GP50 from Yaskawa

How can the potential of industrial robots also be used in the crafts sector? – Robonet 4.0″ offers practical answers. The handicraft-suitable, intuitively controllable robot unit was developed by the Chamber of Crafts for Lower Franconia and the Fraunhofer IGCV. The results can now be seen at the International Trade Fair for Skilled Crafts in Munich (11 – 15 March 2020) at the stand of the Association of Bavarian Chambers of Crafts (Hall C2 / 220). At the heart of the solution is a flexible Motoman GP50 from Yaskawa.

“The basic idea was to find out whether it is possible to implement a robot in the trade without in-depth programming knowledge”, this is how project manager Thomas Planer describes the goal in developing “Robonet 4.0”. As part of the “Handwerk digital” research project, the Chamber of Crafts for Lower Franconia and the Fraunhofer Institute for Foundry, Composite and Processing Technology (Fraunhofer IGCV) in Augsburg investigated the use of future-proof robot technologies in the assembly and production areas of small and medium-sized craft businesses. The research focused on the possibility of intuitive programming of robots without the need for complex programming code. Instead, the robot was to be operated and controlled with AR (Augmented Reality) glasses via human gestures.

Autonomous drilling with a mobile robot unit

Specifically, a solution for autonomous, robot-based drilling was implemented. “We chose this application on the one hand because our craftsmen’s workshops would like to be relieved of mechanical work, especially for physically heavy jobs such as overhead drilling in concrete ceilings,” explains the project manager planner. “On the other hand, the drilling application is relevant for many job descriptions and can also be transferred to other jobs”. The result of around two years of development work is a mobile robot unit. An industrial robot mounted on a mobile platform enables millimetre-accurate drilling at heights of up to three and a half metres, even overhead. Programming is intuitively controlled by human gestures. In addition, data from CAD programs can be directly transferred.

Flexible Motoman GP

The robot used is a Motoman GP50 from Yaskawa with a payload of 50 kg. The decision was made after a public tender. A particular advantage of this model was that it guarantees the required precision due to its load capacity and mechanical rigidity, but is not too heavy for the mobile base.
The GP series from Yaskawa’s Motoman portfolio is designed for fast joining, packaging and general handling applications. “GP” stands for “General Purpose”, meaning a wide range of applications. The 6-axis machines are therefore productivity drivers in many industries.

Safety and connectivity

Another argument for the Yaskawa robot was its Motoman YRC1000 high-performance controller. This extremely compact controller with a cabinet volume of only 125 liters allows optimal use of space – and thus fits into the mobile base of the Robonet 4.0 unit.

In addition, an integrated safety controller makes the control a complete Functional Safety Unit (FSU) Category 3 with up to 32 definable safety zones. This enables operation in safe mode and the robot can be safely operated in the specific application even without a safety fence.
The YRC1000 controller’s teach pendant is ergonomic and clearly arranged. At only 730 g, it is the lightest in its category. The touch screen allows intuitive operation and thus easy moving and scrolling with the cursor. On the screen of the teach pendant, a 3D simulation can show the movement of the real robot arm and the limits of the safe working area.
Last but not least, open interfaces, for example to Ethernet and ROS (Robot Operating System), predestine the current controller generation for use in Industry 4.0 environments and for linking to other programs.

For more information, please visit: https://www.yaskawa.eu.com/