Messages

Hello,

Hmm... Not that easily. With the new member version you can get the toolpath in XML format (intended to be used with the iiwa). I guess you could try to parse that data and create Stäubli-compatible code. That being said, it would involve quite a lot of work and will not be an easy thing to achieve. To be honest I haven't worked with Stäubli robots in-depth, so if you want to you can send me a simple code example (just a few linear movements or so) and I can give you my best guess if it is easy to convert!

Best,
Johannes

Hello,

Great to hear that you were able to sort out the problem - only the full member version supports external axes.
According to your data you're with UTexas, right? I've unlocked your account as a member account so you can download up to date versions of KUKA|prc and get access to the Rob|Arch eBooks.
The DKP400 can be a bit tricky sometimes, let me know in case you need any help.

Best,
Johannes

Hello,

That shouldn't happen, please send me an eMail with the file in question and I can double-check it. Usually the controller will also give you the number of the line where the error occurred - that should be helpful as well.
It's also possible to be related to the filename or e.g. something you entered into a Custom KRL component.
I don't think it's connected to the KRC2 controller, though!

Best,
Johannes

Awesome, thanks for sharing!
If you want to, you could submit your video, or a combination of your videos, to the Rob|Arch 2016 Call for Videos: http://www.robarch2016.org/call-for-videos/

Best,
Johannes

Hey,

Looking forward to seeing you at Rob|Arch then, don't worry about the questions!
Personally 280.000EUR seem to be quite much, that should get you one of the nicest milling setups anywhere. The -20% (= -56.000) seem like a plausible difference between a new KRC4 and a used KRC2 robot, however I wouldn't buy a high-end setup for 220.000EUR and then put in a used robot.

A colleague of mine recently got a barely used KRC2 robot (KR180 or so) with 6m of rail for 25.000EUR (admittedly a good catch, more or less directly from a factory. Would cost more if you bought it from a seller that provides warranty etc.). Cheaper turntables usually go for around 7000EUR, while a nice milling spindle (10kW with HSK etc.) is 5000EUR. Add some smaller things, a few thousand EUR for safety fences, shipping, and installation and I would have assumed that it's possible to do it with an initial investment of 50-60.000EUR for the hardware. Things like safety certifications can drive the price slightly further up, I think we paid around 10.000EUR for an 80 pages report that basically just warned us of the dangers of wood dust ;)

Best,
Johannes

Hello Corey,

That sounds exciting! Regarding your questions:
1) No, but controllers are expensive to buy separately anyway so it makes sense to buy the robot and the controller together.
2) Both are good programs for milling. SprutCAM is one of the more affordable programs, so 30.000USD seem to be a bit much to me. We can import G-code via KUKA|prc so you could save money by buying just the 5-axis module and not the robot module, at least at the beginning while money is tight.
3) Depends, if you need it quickly and professionally it makes sense to get an integrator. That being said it's definitely possible to get the robot started by yourself, it only gets complicated if you have to comply with any safety regulations where you need some kind of special license. If you set up safety areas etc. you can greatly reduce the risk of rookie errors damaging the robot, but 100% safety doesn't really exist.
4) KUKA themselves uses spindles by HSD for their milling robots, we bought an HiTeco spindle a while ago. There is also a wide range of no-name spindles from China. If you want to use a linear track you will need a controller that can drive an additional axis. Upgrades are expensive, so this is something to consider during the initial purchase. You can usually buy used robots and equipment through KUKA, and there are also sellers like GlobalRobots.
5) We integrate new KUKA robots for free for our members, don't worry about that.
6) The MTBF (mean time between failure) of a KUKA robot is said to be around 80.000 hours. At 10h per day that would be 22 years. Of course you can always get a faulty unit or be especially unlucky, but even if you only get a half the hours it would still be 10 years.

In around two months there will be the Rob|Arch conference in Sydney, that would be a good place to get started. As a student member the registration fee is very affordable as well.

Best,
Johannes

Hello,

5.5MB is already quite much and will run into memory limits. For really huge jobs you will need software like CAMRob or KUKA.CNC, they circumvent the memory issues.
Consider removing old files from your robot folder - basically everything you put in there gets compiled and counts against your memory. Splitting files only helps with the lag, but the total memory is the same.
Quite frankly I don't know the exact version "cut-off", but there are issues with the BAS command in older controllers and ticking the box changes one line in the KRL file. If you can run KRL files with the default settings you don't need it.
KUKA|prc also contains an Reduce Toolpath component that works with LIN movements - may be helpful in your case!

Best,
Johannes

Hmmm... I would try attaching a keyboard, then you should be able to use the arrow keys, as well as the page up/down buttons (next to print, delete, etc.)
You may need to get a PS/2 keyboard, though USB could work as well, depending on the age of your controller.

Best,
Johannes

Hello,

That is totally out of my area of expertise, but I find it very strange that the robot would trip the breaker when it is shutdown. Usually these problems occur when the motors are switched on and more power is drawn.
When you shut down the robot, it is decoupled from the entire power supply and uses the integrated buffer battery to safely power down the PC. From my limited understanding I don't really see how that could trip a breaker (unless maybe the power switch is mechanically faulty, shortening the wires).

Maybe try getting an electrician from a larger company that deals with commercial installations and machines. That makes a large difference compared to electricians who deal with residential installations.

Best,
Johannes

Hello,

That's great to hear!
By the way, users of the new KUKA|prc release can download a series of new examples from here: https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=CCAAAC61F8C818D8!303038&authkey=!ACk5vlUWLjqGXlw&ithint=folder%2c
I'll look into integrating into KUKA|prc, or possibly make an extra section for milling components...

Best,
Johannes

Hello,

The issue for me is always to find a way to implement as many easy solutions as possible, without making it difficult again for other users. I've actually had the "two-speed" discussions quite often with a colleague of mine and still haven't found an easy solution to integrate it.

In the meantime, here is a cluster that should do what you want it to do!
Best,
Johannes

Hello,

The KRCConfigurator allows you to assign rights in a very fine-grained way, i.e. you also have to explicitly allow copy, paste, etc. operations, it's not enough just to see the drive. So to enable that take another look at the program!

Regarding changing the harddrive - if I remember correctly if you switch HDDs you will be asked if the RDW or the hard drive copy of it is correct (or something like that, it's been a while). If you choose the wrong one, your calibration will definitely be gone. Maybe your seller can also lend you a KUKA EMT for calibration to be on the safe side? The calibration process is really easy and quite self-explanatory.

Best,
Johannes

Hello,

I haven't had that before, but we will post a new free version in a very short time, so at least then it should be fixed.
If you already want to upgrade, please send an eMail to johannes@robotsinarchitecture.org and I can send you the current version!

Best,
Johannes

Beautiful, I shared it on our Facebook site as well!

Best,
Johannes

Happy New Year you too :)