Glossary · Robotics
Robot controller
Also known as: Robot control unit, Robot control system
German: Robotersteuerung
In robotics, a robot controller is the control system of a robot: the hardware and software that interpret the robot program, compute kinematics and trajectories, drive the servo axes, handle inputs and outputs and, on many models, run integrated safety functions.
- Robotics
In one sentence
A robot controller runs the robot program, computes kinematics and trajectories, drives the axes and often provides safety functions.
Example
The robot controller receives the part type from the line PLC over PROFINET and starts the matching welding program.
How it applies
- Engineering: The robot controller and the cell PLC divide tasks: the robot controller handles motion and process logic of the robot, the Programmable logic controller (PLC) coordinates the cell. Interfaces are usually fieldbus signals or a defined handshake.
- Commissioning: Safety options such as zone limits, speed monitoring and safe inputs are configured and must be validated; their configuration checksums are recorded.
- Documentation: The documentation team should document the PLC-robot interface signal by signal, the software and safety configuration versions, and backup and restore procedures, so the controller can be restored after a failure.
Robot controller vs. PLC
A PLC is a general-purpose controller for machines. A robot controller is specialized for kinematics and motion of a manipulator. Some manufacturers now offer robot control in the PLC, which blurs the line.