Standard Robot Command Interface: new PLC-based Solution compared with Proprietary Software Programming

This thesis consists on a comparative analysis between two different approaches for industrial robot programming: a series of jobs and functions have been tested adopting both the approaches, then a comparison based on chosen specifics follows each test. Finally, a consideration about pro, cons and case of application is provided for both the approaches. The first approach is based on writing the job instructions directly in robot controller, using the proprietary software of the manufacturer. The PLC code only triggers the enabling and the selection of the right job, according to the workflow of the whole automation line. The chosen simulation and programming environment is owned by Comau. The second approach exploits the new Simatic Robot Library and Integrator, which is developed by Siemens and follows the new Standard Robot Command Interface. It allows to write the entire control code for the robot’s jobs directly in PLC development environment, using also the library functions. The project has been developed during an internship of 6 months in Sintex srl, a software provider located in Galliera Veneta (PD), and it follows an on-site study of the commissioning of an automation line.