Robot specialist Fanuc presented the iRProgrammer for the first time at the Open House in December, using it on larger robots from the Fanuc range. The development approach for the iRProgrammer was to create an inexpensive yet simple programming option.

Especially in day-to-day operations, a tablet PC can actually make work much easier due to its lower weight compared to a conventional teach pendant. Nico Herrmann, Technical Manager Robotics in the Technology Center at Fanuc Germany, sees the iRProgrammer as a complement to the IPendant, as the handheld programming device is called at Fanuc: "The iRProgrammer is a tool that is ideal for making program changes to existing systems."

Focus on user-friendliness

There are essentially three types of operations: creating and editing robot programs, executing these programs and changing basic settings. Numerous elements familiar from modern PC interfaces or smartphones are "built into" the corresponding menu interfaces. In this respect, the interface is familiar - a not insignificant prerequisite for the acceptance of programming software. The iRProgrammer also supports a programmer when creating a program by displaying all commands with this initial letter in a separate window when the initial letter of a command is entered. A program line can then either be completed manually or dragged and dropped into the editor window. Incidentally, possible typing errors are checked and prompted for by the system during manual input.

In a separate window, there are software keys to specify movements for the robot, either via "+/-" buttons for each individual axis or via a type of virtual handwheel that can be used to move the robot in space. The iRProgrammer was originally developed as a tool for programming the new Fanuc Scaras. Now, in principle, even the heavy-duty robots of the M-2000i series can be programmed using this software.

Web-based programming without additional software

Simple robot programming via tablet with the iRProgrammer from Fanuc. © Fanuc

Programming is web-based. The web interface, which is integrated in every controller, is used for this. The iRProgrammer is easily accessed via common web browsers such as Safari or Chrome, to name just two examples. As usual with Fanuc, attention has also been paid to the certification of the controller for worldwide use at no additional cost: The R-30iB Compact Plus controller supplied supports both CE and NRTL marking.

No additional software needs to be installed on the PC or tablet itself. The robot's IP address is accessed via a website - and it can only be accessed via a defined tablet. This prevents unauthorized access to the robot. Another security feature is the master-slave definition between the tablet and an existing iPendant. The teach pendant is always the master unit. Any action via the teach pendant has priority over the tablet. Nico Hermann: "We recommend programming with the tablet near an emergency stop button." This is because, unlike a classic programming device, such a handheld PC does not have an emergency stop button. This is also not necessary for smaller programming tasks in day-to-day operations, as all the safety devices required for operation are already present and ready for use on a cell or system. By the way: The iRProgrammer is also available as a programming tool for the collaborative robots in Fanuc's CR series.

The iRProgrammer should not necessarily replace the teach pendant. When setting up a cell or line or during commissioning, it is often the case that not all safety devices have been fully installed.

Bernhard Foitzik on behalf of Fanuc / ag