Even better than the real thing

TM Robotics, the partner for Toshiba Machine Industrial robots in the European market, has announced new simulation software for its full range of robots. Developed by BYG Systems of Nottingham, the new software is a Toshiba version of BYG's Grasp2000 software.

This is a 3-D simulation program that gives users the opportunity to generate off-line simulations of robots, thus reducing downtime and increasing profitability.

BYG's Grasp2000 can generate specific application menus for arc welding, palletising and spraying. The program allows the user to validate and optimise programs off-line for reach evaluation, joint constraints and cycle time calculation. Programs can be downloaded directly to the robot in the appropriate software language.

An important factor in off-line programming is the inherent inaccuracies of most robots (not to be confused with their repeatability). Grasp2000 counters this with in-depth mathematical calculations to calibrate both robot and 3D model to match the real world. It only requires the demonstration of a number of robot poses, which are then read into Grasp2000 and analysed by the calibration software.

The Toshiba version of the Grasp2000 uses a Windows-style interface and menu system with easy-to-interpret icon-based toolbars. It offers full configuration checks, dynamic collision and near-miss detection. It can support simulations of multiple robots and synchronised external axes. The software offers macro driven, real-time, interactive simulation and playback for the presentation and demonstration of results. Grasp2000 uses accurate robot and work-cell collaboration techniques and requires no external measuring equipment.
The software will find applications in PC-based cell lay out and design, analysis, offline programming and process planning throughout the full range of Toshiba SCARA robot applications.

Nigel Smith, Managing Director of TM Robotics, commented: "This piece of software is enormously versatile and must inevitably lead to massive savings in downtime, surely the biggest problem facing manufacturers today."

Dr Yoon Yong, Managing Director of BYG Systems, said: "We are pleased to be working with Toshiba on this project and feel the inclusion of their robots in the Grasp2000 software range lends it further depth, as well as adaptability."

Published: May 2001