RoboDK is an example of digital twin and offline programming software. It allows users to test robots from more than 1,400 brands so they can find the best fits for their applications. Source: RoboDK
Manufacturers of all sizes know that automation can help solve labor challenges, increase throughput and quality, reduce waste, and improve consistency. But taking the first step can be daunting, especially for companies that are new to automation.
There are thousands of industrial robots available in many shapes and sizes and from many brands, along with thousands of end effectors and peripherals. These elements can be combined in an almost infinite number of ways. Knowing where to start can be a real challenge.
What robot size and peripherals are needed? How much floor space will the cell require? Will the throughput justify the investment? How well will it integrate with other machines? Is there a risk of getting locked into a single vendor? How long will a return on investment (ROI) take?
Global economic uncertainty and rising energy input costs are not helping much.Manufacturing sector sentimentandinvestor moralehave dipped in severalkey markets, and many companies are placing greater scrutiny on new capital decisions.
But all this uncertainty does not have to mean standing still.
Digital twinsoftwarecan help first-time automation buyers get unstuck. It allowsmanufacturersto compare robots and layouts, test peripherals, refine robot base positions, explore guarding layouts, model part flow, and consider operator access before committing capital.
Because they are dynamic, digital twins improve on the static drawings, CAD layouts, and spreadsheets that smaller companies often use to represent automation ideas.
Whether the concept is later handed to an integrator or implemented internally, digital twin software supports early automation exploration.
A digital twin is a virtual model of a robotic cell. It can include the robot,end-of-arm tooling, fixtures, conveyors,sensors, operators, and surrounding equipment.
Instead of relying only on sketches and assumptions, digital twin software shows how a robotic system will actually function.
For example, a digital twin can show whether the robot will reach all required positions. It can help test trajectories and toolpaths, estimate cycle times, identify collision risks, and evaluate operator access and maintenance clearance.