Flexible Manufacturing Systems: CAD Programs to Simulate the Movements of Industrial Robots

Abstract

Currently, the simulation and programming of industrial robots are carried out using commercial software applications from robot manufacturing companies. These software applications are expensive, and some require installation on robust computing equipment. In this work, the experiences obtained during the Manufacturing Systems Automation course for Mechatronic Engineering students are shared. During this course, different configurations of industrial robots were used, and simulations of the trajectory of the end effector were carried out using a CAD software application aimed at the Academy with free licenses for students. The objective of this implementation was to 1) generate simulation solutions for different configurations of industrial robots through a CAD software application and 2) determine if there was a positive evolution or progress to create said simulation solutions, which were presented with an increasing level of difficulty. Both items were evaluated using a checklist. The results demonstrate that using CAD software applications is an option to generate simulation solutions for the trajectories of industrial robots in an accessible way and that they are digital teaching tools acceptable to students, promoting HumanComputer Interaction.