INTRODUCTION
RCAM is a translator program from CNC (Gcode) or APT language to robot language.
It offers the possibility of machining small to large parts using robots instead of CNC machines.
RCAM doesn't generate CNC programs. The user must have a major CAM software like: Mastercam(R), Powermill(R), Surfcam(R), Cut3D(R) etc.
Machining with robots allow the possibility to produce parts using 2,3,4 and 5 axis with ease and competitive way compared with traditional machining with CNC.
The use of external axis like rotating tables and tracks allow the possibility also to produce large parts.
Despite the precision that can be achieved with a robot to be roughly 1/10 the obtained from a precision CNC the price is also a fraction of a conventional machine.
Is the ideal solution for doing pre machined parts, advertizing parts like sculptures, statues, boats, yacht, surf boards etc.
In order to use the most representative robots RCAM allow the translation of Gcode and APT for old models and actual models of robots.
Example of APT code
It as build in some functional features to deal with the amount of memory usually allowed with old models of robots.
In this case it can produce robot code divided in blocks that can be handled by the robot controllers.
RCAM is designed to generate output for different brands of robots (e.g. ABB, KUKA etc) with the same software.
Depending of the license and modules purchased the translator can use several sources for the machining program and several output formats for different brands and generation of robots.
Actually RCAM is allows to translate to:
ABB robots
S4C/S4C+/IRC5
KUKA robots
KRL/KRC1/2
The program is able to translate APT and also GCode. In the previous figures is showed a section of 5axis APT code, and the selection of a ABB robot.
Robot code can be translated from different CNC CAM systems for:
· XYZ (3 axis)
· XYZA (4 axis)
· XYZBC (5 axis)
Other features include robots mounted on tracks and rotating tables In order to reduce testint time is possible to override milling speed.
Is also possible to scale the CNC code in the translation in order to machine scaled parts.