Abstract: An assistance device configured to assist operations with respect to a plurality of machines is provided with: an information storage unit for storing machine information including at least one of maintenance history information, abnormality history information, and predicted service life information for each of the plurality of machines, in association with identification information of the machine; a criteria accepting unit for accepting search criteria for specifying desired machine information; and an information retrieval unit for comparing the search criteria accepted by the criteria accepting unit with the machine information stored in the information storage unit, and extracting the identification information of the machine corresponding to the machine information matching the search criteria.

Abstract: First, an operator sequentially teaches the start point A, the end point F and junction points B, C, D, E on the welding path by moving the torch head by jog feed without paying attention to the torch orientation. Next, a reference plane to define the orientation of the torch is specified, and an inclination angle and a forward angle representing the torch orientation be inputted into a robot controller. On the basis of these inputted angle data and the taught data, a basic welding orientation is automatically calculated. Further auxiliary points are set around the junction points B through E each forming corner parts connecting straight lines; tool vectors which may give a smooth torch orientation change through the corner parts are automatically calculated for the auxiliary points and the junction points; and on the basis of the results, a welding program is produced.

Abstract: A welding voltage value Vf and a welding current value If are respectively monitored by a detector during execution of arc welding in accordance with a robot operation program, indexes are calculated which show how far the monitored values Vf and If are deviated from a command welding voltage value Vc and a command welding current value Ic specified in the operation program, and it is decided that there is a possibility of occurrence of a defective weld in arc welding under execution, when the calculated index exceeds a preset threshold value. Then, the data for arc-welding execution conditions and execution results are cumulatively stored in a defective weld history data area provided in a memory in accordance with the line number and the statement of the line in the operation program for each line constituting the program, and the cumulatively-stored data is displayed on a screen.

Abstract: A robot which is capable of automatically generating movement path patterns based on taught data and in which a data teaching operation associated with pattern generation is simplified and no special data teaching is required even when the pitch between pattern segments is to be changed. During a manual robot operation, when start and end points (P0, Pn) of a spraying pattern which consists of a series of subpatterns, and a first cornering point (P1) of a first subpattern are taught to the robot, taught data representing these three point is stored in a robot control unit, together with a spraying command code and a spraying pitch (d) taught separately. During a playback robot operation, in response to the spraying command code, a vector (A) directed from the start point (P0) to the first cornering point (P1) and a vector (D) directed from the first cornering point (P1) to a second cornering point (P2) are calculated based on the taught data and the pitch.

Abstract: A method of teaching a robot motion program, which facilitates the preparation of programs, and in which a required one of a plurality standard motion programs for operating a robot in accordance with stereotyped motion patterns is read from a memory of a robot control device and displayed on a display screen of a teaching control panel. An operator operates the teaching control panel to add, though the display screen, position and speed data etc. to the standard motion program, or modify, through the display screen, the data previously described in the standard motion program, whereby a motion program for a robot operation to be performed in accordance with a sterotyped motion pattern or a pattern similar thereto can be created easily.

Abstract: A robot teaching position method for easily modifying an original position of one of a plurality of taught points arranged on a straight line to a modified position moved a distance along the straight line from the original position. An operator selects one of the plurality of taught points, inputs a distance of movement along the straight line from the one taught point to the modified point, and selects two arbitrary taught points arranged on the straight line, using a display device attached to a manual data input device attached to a robot controller. The modified position is determined based on the inputted first taught point, the distance, and the second and third taught points. A robot performs an operation based on the modified position.

Abstract: There is provided a method of correcting a position of a tool center point position of lightweight tools such as a welding gun, grinder or the like, and readily handling and controlling robot manipulation programs. Data indicating the relationship between robot manipulation time and a change amount of the tool center point are previously stored in memory, and an accumulated working time is read when moving the tool center point to a moving target position. Thus, the changed position of the tool center point is determined based on the data stored in the memory. The moving target position of the tool center point is corrected on the basis of the changed amount. Thus, the tool center point is aligned with the moving target position. Accordingly, the position of the tool center point is corrected in accordance with the change amount, and various works are accurately performed relative to the moving target position on a workpiece. Therefore, a spring mechanism required in the prior art is eliminated.

Abstract: A operation program of a robot is simply changed by using a workpiece body without using a master body. The operation program of the robot is corrected by correction data obtained from cameras. When a point of the operation program is desired to be changed to another point, a point on the workpiece body is changed to a changed point. A robot control unit reads the changed point as the coordinate values of the respective axes and changes the same to space coordinate values. Further, the space coordinate values are converted to reference space coordinate values on the master body by an inverse conversion matrix of the correction data. The reference space coordinate values are inversely converted to the coordinate values of respective reference axes. Since the operation program is commanded by the coordinate values of the respective reference axes, the point of the operation program is converted to the another point by using the coordinate values of the respective reference axes.

Abstract: A sealing gun (31) of a sealant application unit, which controls the flow of the sealant in accordance with the value of an input signal, is attached to the end of a robot arm. The value of a signal applied to the sealant application unit (30) is controlled in association with acceleration/deceleration control of the moving speed of the sealing gun. The moving speed (TSA) of the sealing gun and the flow (SC) of the sealant discharged from the sealing gun are in direct proportion; therefore, the bead width becomes uniform independently of the moving speed (TSA) of the sealing gun.

Abstract: A control method capable of effecting satisfactory arc welding by automatically controlling arc welding current and voltage. A processor calculates (106, 112) errors (.epsilon.I, .epsilon.V) between mean value (I, V) of actual welding currents and voltages periodically detected a predetermined number of times and target values IO, VO) of the welding current and voltage. If the welding current error falls outside an allowable range, a wire feeding speed correction amount is determined (.DELTA.FW) (109) by substituting the mean value (I) of the welding currents and a welding current correction amount (.DELTA.I) equivalent to the product of the calculated welding current error and a current gain into a calculation formula containing a first-degree polynomial (g'(I)) for the welding current and a welding current change amount (.DELTA.I) as variables. The wire feeding speed correction amount is input to a welding machine.

Abstract: A robot operating method capable of easily performing manual correction of a previously taught teaching point during an automatic robot operation, and of accurately and effectively performing a desired robot operation without the need of employing a visual sensor. After switching is made from an automatic operation mode to a manual operation mode in response to reading of a predetermined command code from a program (S1, S2), a robot tool positioned at a first teaching position is moved to a first working position on a workpiece by a control apparatus which responds to an operation of a remote operation board by an operator, so as to compensate for a dislocation of the teaching point attributable to a positional dislocation of the workpiece (S3), and then a correction data indicative of the results of a manual adjustment is calculated in response to supply of an external signal generated by an operator's operation and is stored in a memory (S4, S5).

Abstract: A robot control system is provided for teaching the distal end position of a working member mounted on a wrist of a robot and executing a predetermined task. A rotational angle is determined by a calculation control unit (/w) from the projection (/w') of a gripping direction vector of a workpiece. A command for correcting the positional rotation of the tool coordinate system is obtained through simple processing based on information indicative of the position of the workpiece from a sensor. As a result, the position of the tool can be rotatively corrected and controlled, even if the gripping direction vector is not parallel to the surface on which the workpiece is placed.

Abstract: A tool position compensation method for correcting a tool position when an old tool (16) mounted on a hand (15) of a robot is replaced. Information on the axes of the robot after the new tool is mounted is obtained based on information on the axes of the robot taught before the old tool is replaced, tool position information (TCP1) at that time, and tool position information TCP2) after the new tool is mounted.

Abstract: A system for setting a tool coordinate system brings directions ( , , ) of respective basic axes of the tool coordinate system into coincidence with directions (X, Y, Z) of basic axes of a robot reference coordinate system. A tool center point (TCP) serves as an origin, and the system causes a robot to memorize metric values on each motion axis of the robot at the moment of coincidence as setting information for setting the tool coordinate system. The system uses this setting information as information for subsequent robot motion. With the present invention, the setting of tool coordinates, which was a troublesome operation in the prior art, can be performed easily and accurately through a simple method.

Abstract: A scaling method in an automatic welding machine equipped with a robot control unit for controlling a robot grasping a welding torch. The robot control unit obtains subsequent taught positions on the basis of taught position data indicative of primary welding points (P1, . . . Pn)) of a welding workpiece. The scaling method includes computing the direction of a normal vector (N) of the surface of the workpiece (WK) based on position data (Q1, Q2, Q3) indicative of any three points on the surface of the workpiece (WK), and obtaining, by correction, scaling points corresponding to the primary welding points on the basis of the direction of the normal vector N.

Abstract: A robot path error correction system is provided for driving and controlling a movable element in a designated direction. The system includes a sensing device for sensing a remaining amount of command pulses at deceleration of the movable element; timing deciding device for specifying start timing of a pulse distribution calculation along a subsequent travel path in dependence upon the sensed amount of command pulses remaining; and an adding device for adding command pulses which accelerate the feedrate and command pulses which decelerate the feedrate in accordance with a commanded velocity and commanded position at the specified timing.

Abstract: Provided is a system for setting a workpiece Cartesian coordinate system in a robot. In teaching the nose position (TCP) of a working member (tool) mounted on the hand of an articulated robot, the user moves the tool mounted on the hand to teach a reference point, any point on a predetermined axis and a third point defining a plane together with the other two points, whereupon a single coordinate system is specified by the position data indicative of these three points P1, P2, P3. A plurality of tool coordinate systems having a fixed relationship to the reference coordinate system of the robot can be set.

Abstract: First, an operator sequentially teaches the start point A, the end point F and junction points B, C, D, E on the welding path by moving the torch head by jog feed without paying attention to the torch orientation. Next, a reference plane to define the orientation of the torch is specified, and an inclination angle and a forward angle representing the torch orientation be inputted into a robot controller. On the basis of these inputted angle data and the taught data, a basic welding orientation is automatically calculated. Further auxiliary points are set around the junction points B through E each forming corner parts connecting straight lines; tool vectors which may give a smooth torch orientation change through the corner parts are automatically calculated for the auxiliary points and the junction points; and on the basis of the results, a welding program is produced.

Abstract: A welding voltage value Vf and a welding current value IF are respectively monitored by a detector during execution of arc welding in accordance with a robot operation program, indexes are calculated which show how far the monitored values Vf and If are deviated from a command welding voltage value Vc and a command welding current value Ic specified in the operation program, and it is decided that there is a possibility of occurrence of a defective weld in arc welding under execution, when the calculated index exceeds a preset threshold value. Then, the data for arc-welding execution conditions and execution results are cumulatively stored in a defective weld history data area provided in a memory in accordance with the line number and the statement of the line in the operation program for each line constituting the program, and the cumulatively-stored data is displayed on a screen.