Abstract: A system and method for controlling movement of a robot holding a tool from an end of one tool operation to a beginning of a next tool operation that reduces tool jerk and thus reduces the robot stabilization time. The method includes separating the robot movement into a plurality of segments that have different robot movement accelerations, determining an acceleration of the robot for each segment that optimizes a cycle time of the robot movement, and reducing the optimal acceleration of the robot during a last segment so as to reduce tool jerk when the robot reaches the beginning of the next tool operation. In one non-limiting embodiment, the tool is a laser cutting tool and the number of segments is seven segments.

Abstract: Methods and systems include ways to synchronize a press machine and tending robots, including a pick robot and a drop robot, where the press machine includes an operating area for pressing a blank into a part. The pick robot and the part are moved out of the operating area while the drop robot carrying the blank is moved into the operating area. At least a portion of the pick robot and/or the part resides within the operating area at the same time at least a portion of the drop robot and/or the blank resides within the operating area. The pick robot is in communication with the drop robot and the movement of the pick robot is synchronized with the movement of the drop robot to prevent the pick robot or part from colliding with the drop robot or the blank.

Abstract: Methods and systems include ways to synchronize a press machine and tending robots, including a pick robot and a drop robot, where the press machine includes an operating area for pressing a blank into a part. The pick robot and the part are moved out of the operating area while the drop robot carrying the blank is moved into the operating area. At least a portion of the pick robot and/or the part resides within the operating area at the same time at least a portion of the drop robot and/or the blank resides within the operating area. The pick robot is in communication with the drop robot and the movement of the pick robot is synchronized with the movement of the drop robot to prevent the pick robot or part from colliding with the drop robot or the blank.