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Collaborative robots pioneer launches Universal Robots+

Source:Ringier Metalworking Release Date:2016-07-12 109
Metalworking
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Universal Robots (UR), the Danish pioneer of human-robot collaboration, revolutionises the automation industry with the launch of Universal Robots+. 

With Universal Robots+, the company has created its own eco-system that enables applications revolving around the co-bot arms UR3, UR5, and UR10 to be developed and showcased. These accessory components that extend the UR robots’ capabilities are called URCaps, and can consist of customised hardware components, software plug-ins, or a combination of both. The aim of Universal Robots+ is to reduce implementation periods, increase user comfort and reduce costs for all parties involved.

“Universal Robots+ enables us to create an unmatched win-win-win situation for the developer community, our distribution partners and our end customers,” explains Esben H. Østergaard, CTO and co-founder of Universal Robots. “Participants in the developer programme +YOU will receive support from Universal Robots at no cost when developing URCaps. By integrating the accessory components showcased at the Universal Robots+ showroom, our distribution partners and end users reduce spending on application development and testing. In short, Universal Robots+ provides easy access to efficient, well-proven, and safe automation solutions that we elevate to the next level by collaborating with a crucial component: the developers of today and tomorrow.”

How developers and distributors will benefit

“When developers have received our approval for designing within Universal Robots+, we will support them via our local subsidiaries by providing robots for testing and optimising URCaps. On request, robots can also be purchased at a reduced price, provided that they will be used exclusively for the development and testing of new UR-related components,” says Stefan Tøndering Stubgaard, Manager of Universal Robots’ Corporate Technical Support.

After completion of a URCaps prototype, the developer will send it to UR for examination.

Stubgaard explains, “Before a new product can be presented in our showroom, we will verify its quality. Through comprehensive functionality tests, we will assess whether the URCaps can be implemented and operated easily, and if the product conforms to Universal Robots’ quality requirements.”

In addition, developers can also get their URCaps certified by Universal Robots. In order to receive this additional quality certificate, developers must show that their solution is already operating in a real application and used successfully by a customer.

Having capabilities featured in the Universal Robots+ showroom is free of charge for developers. Through the showroom, UR offers developers a professional marketing platform that gives them access to an ever-expanding, global customer network. Sales of all products and capabilities revolving around the UR robots’ universe will continue to be provided through UR’s established network of distribution partners. In this way, distributors also benefit from this central platform, where they can both offer and access applications developed specifically for the use with UR robots. Universal Robots+ is the toolbox that tailors the optimal solutions for their individual customer needs.

Entering the Universal Robots+ Community

Developers only need to complete a few steps to get their application solutions featured in the Universal Robots+ showroom. Registration is free in the +YOU community forum, where they can submit their application ideas.

In order to become a member of the +YOU community, the following conditions must be met:

·         Submission of a first draft detailing the type of capabilities being developed. The following categories of URCaps can be chosen:

o   End-effectors: All types of end-of-arm-tooling (EOAT) such as grippers, force-torque-sensors, screwdrivers, and many more.

o   Accessory components: Hardware products that do not belong to the category of end-effectors. For instance, cable guidance, protective covers, communication modules, vision systems, HMI-panels, etc.

o   Software: These can be either software plug-ins which have been developed with the URCaps Software Development Kit (SDK), PC programmes for the simulation of robot systems or programming, or UR-Library Plug-ins for the software of third parties such as the PLC programming suite.

·         Moreover, the developer needs to offer an established support service with a response time of maximum 24 hours on weekdays.

·         The developer must present a website with valid contact data.

After verification of the URCaps by UR, developers will receive access to the +YOU online forum, where they can exchange questions and ideas. In addition, all members of the community will receive access to the company-internal developer support, which will assist (if necessary) in developing a market mature application. Additionally, the URCaps Software Development Kit can be downloaded free-of-charge.

First URCap developed

The first approved capabilities are currently accompanying the Universal Robots+ launch at AUTOMATICA in Munich, Germany. Among them is the vision-guided Pick & Place solution of Robotiq, the Canadian manufacturer of flexible robot grippers and sensors.

Samuel Bouchard, CEO of Robotiq, explains: “The UR robot arms can be equipped with our new camera and vision system and deployed right into assembly within five minutes. There is no need for an external computer to set up, programme, or operate the camera. Everything can be done within the robot’s user interface. In developing this solution, we managed to meet the need of Universal Robots and our customers demanding an easier and faster implementation of a camera and vision system that can be deployed by anyone.”

Software release reduces implementation time

Alongside the launch of Universal Robots+, a new update for the robot arms’ operating software has been published. The new release (Software Version 3.3) includes updates such as the PROFINET IO device functionality. The new compatibility with PROFINET protocols opens up numerous additional areas of deployment and activities for robots.

“A key feature of the update supporting the Universal Robots+ platform is the ability for providers to now offer solutions that interface seamlessly with the UR software,” says Østergaard.

Until now, the software enabling communication between developer applications and the UR robot arms had to be implemented using a relatively complex script code, which was time-consuming and a difficult task for the majority of end-users to handle. As the Software Version 3.3 consist in parts of open source software, developers can apply their software as an add-on, significantly reducing the time needed for implementation at the end customer’s premises, thus decreasing both price and potential risks.

Availability

Universal Robots+ and the +YOU forum are currently accessible online. The first URCaps are already on display in the Universal Robots+ Showroom.

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