Teaching instead of time-consuming programming
Until now, programming robots was a matter for experts - inflexible, cost-intensive and time-consuming. Almost 75 percent of the cost of using a robot was spent on adapting or reprogramming the software to allow the robot to carry out a new or modified process step. "This meant that access to robotic process automation was primarily reserved for large companies," explains Christian Piechnick. "With the introduction of the TracePen, that's a thing of the past."

Wandelbots also opens up new opportunities to increase efficiency for companies that produce small batch sizes or frequently change production processes for other reasons. With the TracePen, even non-experts can train robots to perform a task. To do this, the operator simply shows the robot the path to be learned directly on the workpiece with the wireless TracePen in their hand. This movement is visualized almost simultaneously by the Wandelbots software in the app belonging to the product. The user can then intuitively refine the path on the iPad in the sub-millimeter range.

The robot's digital twin visualizes the path previously learned with the TracePen in the iPad app. © Wandelbots

App translates movements into program code
It is possible to define whether the robot should move from point to point, linearly or in a circle between the defined points on an application-specific basis. Integrated joint control allows the user to directly influence the individual robot joints. They can also define a specific safety zone in which the robot is allowed to operate. If the path meets the requirements for the process step, the app operator transfers it to the robot. The Wandelbots software translates the path into the relevant robot-specific programming language. A few seconds later, the robot can begin to precisely execute the newly "learned" movements on the workpiece to be processed.

Software works regardless of manufacturer
The special highlight: the learned process step can be easily transferred to other robots from other manufacturers. This option was not previously available in the world of automation, as each robot manufacturer relies on its own proprietary programming language. The Wandelbots app now takes the place of the programming experts. This is not only worthwhile for industrial groups, but also for small and medium-sized companies, which should be able to use robots in the future.

Together with the 5G Lab at TU Dresden, Wandelbots recently successfully tested the use of Industry 4.0 technologies in a number of small and medium-sized companies. "These examples show that Robotics and automation are now also a relevant topic for small and medium-sized companies. The TracePen significantly reduces investment costs, making it really attractive for companies of this size to get involved with robotics for the first time," says Piechnick.

Demonstrating instead of programming robots - with the TracePen from Wandelbots © Wandelbots

Wandelbots sees potential uses for the TracePen, particularly for web-guided applications such as welding, deburring, gluing or spraying. In initial pilot projects with well-known automotive manufacturers, the company has already demonstrated that switching to a new process step using the TracePen is 70 times faster than with conventional programming - and this with a cost reduction of up to 90 percent. This increase in efficiency means that the use of robots also makes sense for industries, companies and company sizes that have previously shied away from the high running costs.

Delivery to begin in 2020
The target group for the TracePen ranges from manufacturers to users of robots. Wandelbots is paying particular attention to system integrators; the company is offering these technology partners increased support in order to make the best possible solution available to joint end customers. Delivery of the TracePen is set to begin in August 2020. Demand is high, reports Christian Piechnick: "The first customers have already signed contracts." as