Virtual activating of a robotized production cell with use of the mechatronics concept designer module of the PLM siemens NX system

In the work the way of the virtual activating of the robotized production cell with use of the OPC server is presented. The use of CAD/CAE class systems allows simulation of the operation of an industrial robot as a part of the implementation of the modified technological process. Based on the conducted virtual tests, it is possible to verify the mechatronic function of the tested system and to predict the collision of robot elements with other elements of the system. It makes possible to eliminate collision events at the design stage of a given technological process. Robot models together with their work environment are prepared to simulate the mechatronic function of the robotized manufacturing workcell in the “Mechatronics Concept Designer” module of the PLM Siemens NX software. In the mentioned model, the “rigid body” components were created that map the geometric form of individual elements of the system, the “joint” components reflecting the nature of cooperation between the “rigid body” components, “position control” components affecting the system state and elements of the “Position sensor” type that monitors the state of the system. The OPC server is the element integrating the 3D model of the system functioning in the CAD/CAE system with the developed control application. In order to integrate the virtual model of the robotized manufacturing workcell, the objects of the “signal” type were also created, which are responsible for transmitting information about the state of the object to the control system and for reading information on the further work of the executive system.