Architecture for auto configuration of tools for industrial robots

Due to the demand of small lot sizes in production, manufacturing systems have to become more flexible to minimize machine set up time. To realize such a flexibility tools must provide the ability of adaptation to varying conditions. A new tool for example has to be adapted and configured autonomous in sense of “plug & produce” without an operator in action. In this paper an approach is presented which focuses on the existing data structure and information flow concerning robotic handling processes. Based on a scenario for handling varying products, an architecture is presented which enables auto configuration behavior of new and adjustable robotic tools. This architecture forms the fundament for developing an auto configurable system consisting of a robot, a robotic tool and a work piece.