Good evening! I'm certain many of you have faced challenges with broken wires and tangled cables on your robots. Have any of you experimented with using Wireless I/0 solutions from brands like Banner and Phoenix Contact on your Robot Heads? I have been considering this option for some time now, as Industrial Wireless I/O technology has advanced significantly in recent years. I am curious to know if any of you have successfully implemented wireless solutions on your robot heads. Is the wireless connection fast enough and does it provide sufficient I/O for your specific applications? Thank you for your input.
Over the past five years, I gained experience working for various integrators and suppliers in the manufacturing industry. This included tasks such as weld cells, material handling, and body shop operations. One particularly interesting aspect was "projection" welding, which involved the use of nut feeders and other innovative technology. Surprisingly, I never came across a wireless connection to end effectors or EOAT's, despite working with major industry players like Fanuc, ABB, and Comau. There may be valid reasons for this, such as increased risk of process interruptions and potential cost implications. Additionally, not all maintenance professionals may possess the necessary skills to configure wireless connections. These are just my observations and opinions, which are subject to individual interpretations.
The minimal latency experienced with lightning-fast wireless I/O can result in significant delays in production cycles, making the investment in high-quality flexible cables a more cost-effective option in the long run.
OkiePC mentioned that the slight latency from using wireless I/O, even the fastest ones, could significantly impact cycle time and production costs, making the cost of high-quality flexible cables a more economical choice. They aim to reduce milliseconds rather than add them in order to optimize production efficiency.
In addition, powering the device is essential. While batteries are an option, they can add complexity to the setup. If you are able to install power cables, you can also easily install network cables for connectivity. This streamlined approach simplifies setup and ensures continuous power supply for optimal device performance.
At our company, we frequently make use of wireless technology to address connectivity issues in integrated systems. An example of this is when we replaced hardline ethernet with a wireless solution for vendor systems suffering from recurring cable failures. To ensure reliability, we pre-run power in the robot's harness up to the arm's end, but communication can be model-dependent. Our preferred choice for wireless communication is the Phoenix Contact FL BT EPA2, known for its easy setup and reliable performance. Using M12 cable connections eliminates concerns about RJ45 failure due to vibration. One transmitter is placed on the tool, while the other is positioned on the panel or fence to establish a clean line of sight connection. While there may be a slight increase in latency compared to ethernet, this is common with any ethernet-based IO system. For applications where milliseconds truly matter, direct wiring from End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT) to PLC rack IO cards may be considered. By designing our systems to prevent the robotic process from becoming a bottleneck, the minimal latency added by a wireless link has not posed any issues.
Hi there! I have used wireless I/O solutions on my robot heads, specifically from Banner, and it has indeed eliminated the headache of tangled wires. My experience with the wireless connection speed has been positive, it's perfectly adequate for my needs. As for the I/O, it depends largely on your specific application and requirements. In my case, I work with simple robotic systems, hence the I/O provided by wireless technology is sufficient. One thing I've realized is it's critical to ensure the robots are within a good range for stable wireless communication. But overall, I found the transition to wireless I/O quite beneficial in terms of convenience and maintenance.
Hi there! I'm glad you brought this topic up as it's something I've been experimenting with recently. I've mainly used the Phoenix Contact systems and have had pretty positive experiences. The wireless connection speed has been adequate for my purposes, and I've found the improved mobility and tidiness of no wires to be a big plus. However, the setup process did demand a steep learning curve. I/O has been mostly satisfactory, although I think it depends heavily on the complexity of your specific application. Overall, I would definitely suggest giving wireless solutions a try, just be prepared for the initial setup challenges.
Good evening! I've actually tried implementing wireless I/O solutions from Phoenix Contact on a couple of our robot heads, and so far, I've been pretty impressed. The reliability and speed have been sufficient for most applications, especially when it comes to real-time data transfer. However, I did notice some latency issues in highly complex environments, so it’s important to evaluate how critical speed and responsiveness are for your specific tasks. Overall, it definitely reduces the clutter from cables, and I think it’s worth considering based on your needs!
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Answer: The original poster is curious to know if anyone has experience with implementing wireless solutions on robot heads using Industrial Wireless I/O technology.
Answer: The original poster mentions that Industrial Wireless I/O technology has advanced significantly in recent years, prompting their interest in exploring wireless solutions for robot heads.
Answer: Users may be interested in learning about the speed and reliability of wireless connections, as well as the I/O capabilities provided by wireless solutions for robot applications.
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