BECKHOFF Automation and KUKA are presenting a new common interface at Automatica
2014. The PLC library under TwinCAT 3.1 supports the mxAutomation interface to
KUKA.
Using the mxAutomation library, commands can be sent directly from the
PLC to a KUKA robot with a KR C4 robot controller. Users can now program the
controller and robot on one system easily without knowing a special robot
programming language.
Communication takes place via EtherCAT, with the TwinCAT EtherCAT master
and the KR C4 controller from KUKA exchanging data via the EL6692 or EL6695
EtherCAT bridge terminal. In doing so, drive commands are transmitted from the
controller to the robot and actual values from the robot to the controller.
The efficient, high performance communication allows quick transmission
of all commands from the PLC to the robot. Additionally, the PLC programmer has
access to the robot position data at all times in real-time. With extended
functionality, the direct and close interaction also enables the implementation
of applications where high-precision synchronisation is required.
mxAutomation for TwinCAT 3.1 revolutionises the co-operation between the
PLC and robot. PLC programmers can program movements directly in the PLC and
monitor all actual values of the robot in real-time.