PLC-controlled robots swing into action
PLC-controlled robots swing into action
America`s largest manufacturer of industrial robots has developed a technology that allows robots to be controlled directly from PLCs. Adept Technology says the technology will allow personnel familiar with PLCs to develop and support robot applications such as parts-handling, packaging and pick-and-place machinery without needing to be robot experts.
"Connecting robots to a PLC is nothing new," says Adept executive vice-president, Charlie Duncheon. "What`s unique about the Adept Cobra PLC robot family is that the robots are programmed and controlled directly from the customer`s PLC. The user simply connects the Adept PLC server to their PLC and programs the robot directly from the PLC`s native programming environment.
Duncheon adds that this approach is "unique" in that "no emulation of ladder logic is performed and no soft PLC is used it is direct control of the robot by the PLC".
The Adept system (shown above) combines a high-performance Scara robot with a PLC server that allows direct programming from an Allen-Bradley PLC via a serial connection. The application programs reside in the PLC. The server retrieves this data and commands the robot to move.
Initially the PLC-controlled robots are available in two four-axis versions, one with a reach of 600mm, the other with a reach of 800mm. Both have a rated payload of 2kg, and a maximum payload of 5.5kg.
Duncheon predicts that the system will allow Adept "to expand into markets where industrial robots were traditionally perceived as too complex to implement and maintain".