Method and control system for controlling a plurality of robots

US6804580B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• KUKA Roboter GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Kenneth A. Stoddard · Rochester Hills, US
• R. William Kneifel, II · Rochester Hills, US
• David M. Martin · Lansdale, US
• Khalid Mirza · Rochester Hills, US
• Michael Chaffee · Gaines, US
• Andreas Hagenauer · Friedberg, DE
• Stefan Graf · Wertingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 3, 2003
• Grant date: Oct 12, 2004
• Expiry date: Apr 3, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T74/20305
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A system for controlling a plurality of robots and a method for controlling said system. Said system comprises a plurality of controllers, each having an associated motion system adapted to control attached robots, with each motion controller being able to receive motion instructions from at least one motion instruction source and at least one of said motion instruction sources being a control program, as well as a computer network over which said controllers communicate. In this way, the invention can be applied to solve problems which are commonly encountered in coordination activities such as load sharing, mating of parts while processing, fixtureless transfer, teaching, manual motion of coordinated operations, and time coordinated motion.