Method to Modify a Program for Robotic Welding

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure The Invention describes a method to train and edit robot programs without the need to directly interact with the robot program or code. A new program is created by guiding the robot to desired locations in the program and then teaching those program positions with a button or similar input. An existing program is edited by moving the robot end-effector to a position in its workspace that is near the desired location of the program to be edited. An algorithm then is used to find the nearest program point in the existing program to the current robot end effector position. The algorithm then drives the robot to this nearest location. The operator can then visually confirm that this is the correct point in the program to edit, or move the robot again and repeat the algorithm search. Once the operator is satisfied that the robot is at the location of the program to edit, the operator can delete that point by pressing an appropriately labeled button. The operator could also add positions by first finding an edit point in the program using the manual move near the edit point and then running the search algorithm. The operator will then move the robot to the new position and press a button or input to add this new program position to the program. This process can be repeated as needed to edit the program. In this manner, the weld technician is not required to interact with code that defines the robot program but rather work with the end effector to spatially position the end-effector and edit the program.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.