In today’s fast-paced industrial landscape, robotics is a crucial aspect of automation and productivity. However, when robots fail or stop working, it can lead to costly downtime, reduced productivity, and a negative impact on overall business operations. To mitigate these issues, Olis Robotics, a leading provider of industrial automation solutions, has introduced new PLC capabilities for industrial robot cells. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of this innovative solution and explore its benefits for integrators, operators, and manufacturers.
Olis Robotics Unveils PLC Capabilities for Industrial Robot Cells
End users turn to automation because it promises consistent work with minimal downtime. When something goes wrong, the robot must stop working and wait for a human operator to step in and figure out the problem. During this period, companies are losing out on valuable time and productivity. Olis Robotics said it hopes to tackle this issue with its remote diagnostics system for industrial automation cells.
The Seattle-based company provides video and telemetry-based diagnostics for workcells. This enables technicians to diagnose the root cause of downtime events, like a robot failure. By giving users immediate access to diagnostic data, Olis said they can quickly and remotely debug robotic cells. This has the potential to slash manufacturer downtime while empowering integrators to take on more business.
Olis added that it has expanded its capabilities to entire industrial cells, from the programmable logic controller (PLC) to the fingertips of the robotic gripper, as well as conveyors and other hardware. Using the software, users can monitor and set alerts for pre-defined runtime parameters through the PLC, including I/Os, registers, and custom tags.
Olis provides key performance indicators
Common uses for PLC tags include measuring overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), monitoring cycle times, and fault detection.
New PLC makes integrators ‘unstoppable’
The PLC orchestrates all of the robots and manages all of the logic for a whole cell. For integrators, the new PLC capabilities enhance their ability to debug a system before shipping. They can also use it to successfully monitor the system after deployment and remotely monitor and debug entire industrial cells.
“Diagnosing the cause of failure in modern automation cells is notoriously difficult and requires considerable expertise,” said Steve Solack, controls engineering manager at Michigan-based integrator Mission Design & Automation. “This is due to the complexity and variety of components involved.”
“With the most crucial diagnostic information often being found in PLC tags and robot data, being able to quickly access such data via Olis’ easy-to-use interface reduces the time and skill set required to understand the problem, making us more efficient and reducing downtime costs for our customers,” he said.
Controllers build confidence in robotics
“Kaitech expects to deploy a large number of robot cells to a variety of customers, including a major warehouse club retailer, in the coming years,” said Kilen Multop, IT director at Idaho-based integrator Kaitech Automation. “To support this rapid growth, we need to ensure that robots are deployed quickly and without problems.”
Conclusion
The new PLC capabilities from Olis Robotics are a game-changer for industrial robotics, offering a more streamlined and efficient way to diagnose and debug industrial robot cells. With its expanded capabilities to entire industrial cells, Olis provides integrators and operators with greater control and visibility, enabling them to identify and resolve issues quickly and reduce downtime. Whether you’re an integrator, operator, or manufacturer, Olis’ PLC capabilities are an essential tool for your robotics solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: What is the main benefit of Olis’ PLC capabilities for industrial robot cells?
The main benefit of Olis’ PLC capabilities is its ability to provide remote diagnostics and debugging, reducing downtime and increasing productivity.
Question 2: What type of data can be accessed through Olis’ PLC capabilities?
Olis’ PLC capabilities provide access to a wide range of data, including I/Os, registers, custom tags, and more.
Question 3: Who are the main beneficiaries of Olis’ PLC capabilities?
The main beneficiaries of Olis’ PLC capabilities are integrators, operators, and manufacturers who use industrial robots.
Question 4: What is the most important diagnostic information found in PLC tags and robot data?
The most important diagnostic information is the data that helps diagnose and resolve issues quickly, such as measuring overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), monitoring cycle times, and fault detection.
Question 5: Can Olis’ PLC capabilities be used with multiple brands of industrial robots?
Olis’ PLC capabilities can currently be used with Rockwell Automation’s Allen Bradley PLCs and robotic arms compatible with Universal Robots, Kawasaki, and FANUC. The company plans to add compatibility with more brands in the future.
