Digital tools as part of a robotic system for adaptive manipulation and welding of objects

Abstract

The aim of this article is to describe the design and verification of digital tools usable for sharing information within a team of workers and machines that manage and execute production carried out by a robotic system. The basic method is to define the structure of the digital tool and data flows necessary to enable an exchange of data needed to perform robotic manipulation and robotic welding of variable products minimizing at the same time strenuous human activity. The proposed structure of data interconnects a set of intelligent sensors with control of 18 degrees of freedom of 3 robotic manipulators, a welding device, and a production information system. Part of the work was also to verify the functionality of the proposed structure of the digital tools. In the first phase, simulations using a digital twin prototype of the workplace for robotic manipulation and robotic welding were performed to verify the functionality the digital tools. Subsequently, a digital tool was tested in the environment of a real prototype workplace for robotic manipulation and robotic welding. Simulation results and data obtained from the prototype tests proved the functionality of the digital tool inclusive of the production information system.