In order to use IRBCAM for plasma cutting, three steps are required:
Step 1: Create the toolpath using your favourite CAD/CAM software. In this example SolidWorks is used together with the plug-in HSMWorks.
Step 2: Import the generated toolpath into IRBCAM, solve the path and export the robot code.
Step 3: Transfer and load the generated code into the robot controller and start the program.
Step 1: Toolpath Creation
The part to be cut by the robot in this example is a circular adapter plate with a hole pattern. The generated APT file from HSMWorks using the post-processor “Common ISO 4343” is made available here (zipped):
Adapterplate.zip (2.1 KB)
In the video below a simulation from the toolpath generation by HSMWorks plugin inside SolidWorks is shown.
Step 2: Solve Path and Generate Robot Code
The robot code is generated by IRBCAM. The plasma Gun On/Off commands are generated automatically by IRBCAM based on the toolpath from HSMWorks. There is no need for the user to enter this information manually. Hence, the code generation using IRBCAM is usually very quick for operations such as the one demonstrated in this example. The shared project TUTORIAL_Plasma is used. If you create an IRBCAM trial account, you gain access to this example project among several others. A video of the simulation generated by IRBCAM is shown below:
Step 3: Execute the generated code on the robot
Finally, load the generated code on the industrial robot and start the program. The video below (10x speedup) shows the circular adapter plate with the hole pattern being cut by an ABB IRB6600 Industrial Robot.