External Axes - ABB IRB 6400R Product On-Line Manual

Description
Stationary TCP
When the robot is holding a work object and working on a stationary tool, it is possible
to define a TCP for that tool. When that tool is active, the programmed path and speed
are related to the work object.
Program execution
The robot can move in any of the following ways:
- Joint motion (all axes move individually and reach
the programmed position at the same time)
- Linear motion (the TCP moves in a linear path)
- Circle motion (the TCP moves in a circular path)
Soft servo - allowing external forces to cause deviation from programmed position -
can be used as an alternative to mechanical compliance in grippers, where imperfection
in processed objects can occur.
If the location of a workpiece varies from time to time, the robot can find its position
by means of a digital sensor. The robot program can then be modified in order to adjust
the motion to the location of the part.
Jogging
The robot can be manually operated in any one of the following ways:
- Axis-by-axis, i.e. one axis at a time
- Linearly, i.e. the TCP moves in a linear path (relative to one of the coordinate
systems mentioned above)
- Reoriented around the TCP
It is possible to select the step size for incremental jogging. Incremental jogging can be
used to position the robot with high precision, since the robot moves a short distance
each time the joystick is moved.
During manual operation, the current position of the robot and the external axes can be
displayed on the teach pendant.

2.9 External Axes

The robot can control up to six external axes. These axes are programmed and moved
using the teach pendant in the same way as the robot's axes.
The external axes can be grouped into mechanical units to facilitate, for example,
the handling of robot carriers, workpiece manipulators, etc.
The robot motion can be simultaneously coordinated with for example, a one-axis
linear robot carrier and a rotational external axis.
A mechanical unit can be activated or deactivated to make it safe when, for example,
manually changing a workpiece located on the unit. In order to reduce investment costs,
any axes that do not have to be active at the same time, can share the same drive unit.
16 Product Specification IRB 6400R M99/BaseWare OS 3.2