Abstract: A method and system for analyzing robot data to identify anomalies. Data from robot production operations are provided to a processor running a K-means clustering algorithm which separates the data into a number (K) of clusters. The K-means clustering algorithm is executed two or more times on the data, each time using a different value of K within a predefined range. A scoring technique is used to determine an optimal value for the number of clusters K, where the score is calculated in a computation which rewards small distances between points within a cluster and large distances between points in different clusters. The K-means clustering results for the optimal value of K are used to separate the data by cluster, whereupon the separated data is analyzed to identify trends in the parameter data. One of the clusters may contain outlier data points, some of which may indicate an anomaly condition.

Abstract: A dynamic messaging system for factory automation devices that provides flexible data transport, presentation and scheduling. Custom message instructions are provided to robot controllers using configuration templates which are loadable without rebooting the controller or affecting ongoing operations of the robot. The configuration templates contain data definitions only and no executable code. Custom data messages are sent from the robot controller based on triggers, including periodic timers, transmission of a current message, change of device elements and programmatic requests. Custom message attributes such as transmission rate and priority can be set, and messages may include file attachments. A message template creator, external to the robot controller, creates the configuration templates, ensures message uniqueness and generates data ingestion schema.

Abstract: A dynamic messaging system for factory automation devices that provides flexible data transport, presentation and scheduling. Custom message instructions are provided to robot controllers using configuration templates which are loadable without rebooting the controller or affecting ongoing operations of the robot. The configuration templates contain data definitions only and no executable code. Custom data messages are sent from the robot controller based on triggers, including periodic timers, transmission of a current message, change of device elements and programmatic requests. Custom message attributes such as transmission rate and priority can be set, and messages may include file attachments. A message template creator, external to the robot controller, creates the configuration templates, ensures message uniqueness and generates data ingestion schema.

Abstract: A system for picking and packing applications is provided. The system includes a plurality of robots and a plurality of robot controllers. Each robot controller includes a load re-balance subsystem, a load balance subsystem, a robot state change detector subsystem, a communicator subsystem, and a motion control subsystem. Each of the robot controllers is interconnected and in communication with one another via the communicator subsystems. Each of the robots has a workload that may be selectively balanced. A method for balancing the workloads of the robots using built-in processors which run motion control is also provided.

Abstract: A system for picking and packing applications is provided. The system includes a plurality of robots and a plurality of robot controllers. Each robot controller includes a load re-balance subsystem, a load balance subsystem, a robot state change detector subsystem, a communicator subsystem, and a motion control subsystem. Each of the robot controllers is interconnected and in communication with one another via the communicator subsystems. Each of the robots has a workload that may be selectively balanced. A method for balancing the workloads of the robots using built-in processors which run motion control is also provided.