n TECHNOLOGY A US SPECIALIST IN collision-free motion planning, control and optimisation for robots, has launched a cloud-based technology that, it claims, will cut workcell design times from months to days. Boston-based Realtime Robotics says that its Resolver system will halve engineering effort, cut workcell cycle times, and increase throughput. Robot path planning is traditionally a complex and timeconsuming process. Multi-robot workcells require tedious manual effort to determine interference zones and interlock signals to ensure that there are no collisions during operation. According to Realtime Robotics, it can take teams well over 100,000 hours to manually validate mechanical designs, plan robot paths, determine the sequences to hit cycle time targets, and to define the interlocks for a single project. This often leads to failure to hit targets, requiring expensive rework for around 10-15% of workcells. The Resolver system intelligently selects and tests potential solutions tens to thousands of times faster than any human programmer can, quickly generating optimal, collision-free motion paths and interlock signals. Organisations can discover the fastest target order automatically, accelerating workcell designs dramatically. The technology provides affordable, on-demand, scalable robotic simulations that can cut the time to: n generate accurate proposals n design tools and fixtures that support cycle time goals n optimise robot programs n adjust for as-built deviations during commissioning n assess and minimise the impact of product design changes in the manufacturing phase “The future of the manufacturing industry lies in robotics and automation. However, that future is slow to materialise because of the outdated, time-consuming, and inefficient processes commonplace in the industry,” says Realtime Robotics’ CEO, Peter Howard. “Few manufacturers have the time or resources needed to enact real change. We’ve engineered Resolver to help manufacturers improve their engineering, programming and production processes – and drive greater value from their current and future investments in robots. “Resolver has the computational power to generate better motion paths than human programmers in both simple and complex workcells,” he adds. “This is because Resolver searches the possibilities open to robotic arms, while humans tend to stay within the possibilities of the human arm.” The platform supports path planning with any number of robots, at any phase of the workflow, generating results in minutes. Currently, it allows users to work in Siemens Process Simulate. Support for other simulation platforms will arrive later this year, allowing teams to work with their preferred tools. Organisations only need to upload the workcell information into a new project, configure their sequencing and conditions, and execute a run. Within minutes, Resolver generates motion paths, including interlocks. The longer it operates, the more options it offers, shortening the cycle time until the desired outcome is reached. The paths and interlocks can then be imported back into the simulation software for validation and operation. Resolver can be used at any point in a project lifecycle, from proposals to workcell designs. It can accelerate project timelines by generating collision-free motion paths and enabling more accurate estimates of cycle times, allowing organisations to outbid their rivals. It also shortens the design phase by streamlining manual path planning into simple steps, defining interlock signals automatically, and reducing mechanical design iterations. The system can also help with fixture design, reachability validation, target sequencing, and robot task allocation. It can be used to design paths and interlocks for entire manufacturing lines, giving organisations views of their entire operations. Optimisation can be achieved at an early stage, allowing more time to be spent on less tedious tasks. https://rtr.ai Robot path planner cuts workcell design times from months to days Electronic starter will redefine motor controls and slash wiring costs June 2025 www.drivesncontrols.com 22 Realtime Robotics’ Resolver speeds the design, deployment and optimisation of robotic workcells ROCKWELL AUTOMATION HAS launched an electronic motor starter that, it says, will redefine motor controls, simplify panel wiring and cut component and engineering complexities, while offering advanced functional safety. It claims that the M100 starter will cut the number of components needed by up to 75% compared to previous devices, reduce wiring costs by up to 56%, and allow panel space savings of up to 78%. The M100 Electronic Motor Starter incorporates a point-on-wave (POW) switching technology which allows precise control of electrical loads by triggering the switching action at the optimal point in the voltage waveform. This results in reduced electrical stress on components, smaller inrush currents and lower electromagnetic interference. The starter integrates into intelligent
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