RobotStudiotm 6.

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SmartComponents
 The information in this manual is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a
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Contravention will be prosecuted.
Additional copies of this manual may be obtained from ABB at its
then current charge.

© Copyright 2017 ABB All right reserved.

ABB AB
Robotics Products
SE-721 68
Västerås Sweden

2017-05-08 ABB
 Table of Contents

1. Smart Components .................................................................................. 4

1.1. Create Smart Component (SC) - InFeeder ........................................................ 4
1.2. Create Smart Component - Vacuum Gripper .................................................. 14
1.3. Create Smart Component - Out Pallet ............................................................ 20
1.4. Complete the Palletizing Simulation ................................................................. 24

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1. Smart Components
Overview
Smart Components give RobotStudio users a series of building blocks or tools which enable
components within a station to have more complex behavior. Some examples are gipper
motion, objects moving on conveyors, logic etc. Once created these objects can be saved as
library files for use in future stations and simulations.

1.1. Create Smart Component (SC) - InFeeder

Overview
In this exercise we will learn how to create a Smart Component that simulates an in feeder. It
will create dynamic objects which it will move in a straight line until they arrive at a picking
position. When an object is removed from the picking position a new object will automatically
be created.

Preparing the station

We will start with an empty station and import the geometry of the conveyor, and the part
which should be generated by the SC.
1. Import the geometry ….\Geometry\InFeeder.sat
2. Import the library ...\Libraries\box.rslib

Creating the Smart Component

1. On the Modeling tab click the Smart Component button.
2. Name the SC SC_InFeeder

Adding a part to the SC

Next we will add the part InFeeder to our SC as a Child component.
1. In the Layout browser drag the part InFeeder and drop it on SC_InFeeder.

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Adding base components to our SC

A Smart Component consists of one or more base components. A base component is a
building block with predefined behaviors and properties.
1. In the SC view go to the Compose tab and click the Add component button.

2. In the Actions gallery click on the Source button.

3. Right click on the Source and select Properties in the context menu (if the properties
window not already is opened).
4. In the Properties window select the box in the Source drop down box.
NOTE: If the Transient box is checked the part (in this case the box) will
automatically be deleted when the simulation is stopped. Leave the box unchecked
for this exercise.

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5. Press Apply.

6. Add the base component LinearMover from the Manipulators gallery, and the base
component Queue from the Other gallery.

Note: As additional components are added they will populate in the recently used
section.

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7. The SmartComponent should now have the following features present.

8. Open the Properties window for the LinearMover by right clicking on it in the Layout
browser. Select the SC_InFeeder/Queue as the Object. Change the Direction to X= -
1000, Y=0, Z=0 (the box will move in minus X direction). Change the Speed to
500mm/s. Press Apply.
9. Activate the Execute signal. Close the Properties window.

Adding Property Bindings

The next step is to add a binding between the base component Source and the base component
Queue. This will define which object will be moved by the conveyor.
1. In the SC view, go to the Properties and Bindings tab and click the Add Binding
button.
2. Bind the Copy of the Source to the Back of the Queue and press OK:

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Adding Signals and Connections

In order to define actions in our SC we need to define I/O Signals and I/O Connections.
1. In the SC view, go to the Signals and Connections tab and click the Add I/O Signals
button.
2. Add a signal of the type DigitalInput and name it diNewBox. Check Auto-reset.

3. In the SC view, go to the Signals and Connections tab and click the Add I/O
Connections button.
4. Set Source Object to SC_InFeeder, Source Signal to diNewBox, Target Object to
Source and Target Signal to Execute. Press OK.

5. Add a new I/O Connection and set Source Object to Source, Source Signal to
Executed, Target Object to Queue and Target Signal to Enqueue. Press OK.

Note: At any point you can also look at the Design view which gives you a graphical
representation of the Smart Component. I/O Connections are represented by green lines
while bindings are represented by red lines. These can be toggled on and off to simplfy the
view if necessary.

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6. Save the station as …\my_SC_InFeeder.

Test running the Smart Component

When you are creating Smart Components (SC), you can minimize the risk of making
mistakes by testing it as often as possible. For example, if a sensor is added, you can test the
SC by activating the sensor and then moving an object to intersect the beam. The SensorOut
signal should go high when the beam is intersected.

Before we add a sensor to this SC we will test the Source and the Queue to ensure it works as
expected.

Note: SmartComponents that consume time (e.g. moving objects) are activated by the
simulation function within RobotStudio. Therefore a simulation needs to be running in order
to test/use a SC.

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1. Click on the my_SC_InFeeder:View1 tab so you can see the conveyor and the box.
2. Open the property window for SC_InFeeder.
3. Press Simulation Play.

4. Click on diNewBox a couple of times and verify that a new box is created and starts
moving for each click.
5. Stop the simulation and delete all boxes generated during the simulation.

Adding a Plane Sensor to our Smart Component

Next we will add a sensor at the end of the conveyor which will stop the box when it hits the
sensor beam. We will also add an I/O signal which will remain high as long as a box is in
contact with the sensor. Finally we will add an action which generates a new box when a box
is removed from the sensor. (We will have the robot pick up the box.)
1. Select the InFeeder in the Layout browser, then click on Part Tools-Modify, and then
uncheck Detectable by Sensors.

2.
This is done to prevent the PlaneSensor from detecting the InFeeder geometry. It will
also prevent the robot’s tool from detecting and attaching to the InFeeder.

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3. In the Sensors gallery click on the PlaneSensor button.

4. Place the cursor in the Origin field in the property window for the PlaneSensor.
5. Set up your selection level and snap mode to enable you to select the corner of the
conveyor as in the picture below:

6. Increase the Y value with 10mm. This is to ensure that the sensor is wider than the box
and that the entire edge of the box is covered by the sensor so that it is not missed.
7. In the Axis 1 field type in Z= 100mm (height of the beam).
8. In the Axis 2 field type in Y= -930mm (width of the beam).
9. Make sure that the sensor is Active and that the signal SensorOut is low.
10. Press Apply.

11. In the SC view (SC_inFeeder) go to the Compose tab and click the Add component
button.

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12. In the Signals and Properties gallery click on the LogicGate button.
13. Change the Operator to NOT in the property window for the LogicGate.

14. In the SC view (SC_inFeeder) go to the Signals and Connections tab and click the Add
I/O Signals button.
15. Add a DigitalOutput with the name doBoxInPos. Press OK.

16. Click the Add I/O Connection button.

17. Add the I/O connections with the details from the table below.
Source Object Source Signal Target Object Target Signal
PlaneSensor SensorOut Queue Dequeue

PlaneSensor SensorOut SC_InFeeder doBoxInPos

PlaneSensor SensorOut LogicGate [NOT] InputA

LogicGate [NOT] Output Source Execute

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Test running and saving the Smart Component

Before we save the SC as a library file we should test run it again.
1. Click on the my_SC_InFeeder:View1 tab so you can see the conveyor and the box.
2. Open the property window for SC_InFeeder
3. Press Simulation Play.
4. If a new box not is generated automatically, click on diNewBox.
5. Verify that the box stops when it hits the sensor and that doBoxInPos goes high.
6. Move the box away from the sensor with Freehand Move and verify that doBoxInPos
goes low and that a new box is generated.
7. Stop the simulation and delete all boxes that were generated during the simulation.
8. Save the SC_InFeeder as … Libraries \SC_InFeeder.rslib.

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1.2. Create Smart Component - Vacuum Gripper

Overview
In this exercise we will learn how to create a Smart Component (SC) representing a vacuum
gripper.

Preperation
1. Create a new empty station.
2. Import the library file VacuumGripper.rslib.

3. As we will modify the library file we need to disconnect the library.

4. In the library context menu, click Disconnect Library.
5. In Modeling tab, click Smart Component to create a new empty SC.

6. Rename the SC to SC_VacuumGripper.

7. In Layout browser, drag and drop the vacuum gripper to SC_VacuumGripper.
8. In order to get our new component to act as a tool, we need to set the
Vacuum_Gripper as role. In this way the tooldata will be created when we attach
our SC gripper to a robot. In the SC view, set the vacuum gripper as role from the
conontext menu.

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Add Base Components

Now we will start to add base components. We will start with a sensor that will react when an
object hits the sensor beam.
1. Click Add component and then select the LineSensor from the Sensors gallery.
2. In the LineSensor properties window set values as below. After clicking Apply, you
will see a small cylinder representing the sensor in the graphics view.

3. Next add an Attacher base component from the Actions gallery. When trigged, this
base component will attach a child component to a parent component. The parent in
this example is represented by the vacuum gripper.
4. In the properties window of the Attacher, select the VacuumGripper
(SC_VacuumGripper) as parent, as shown below.

At this point we cannot state which object should represent the child in the Attacher.
This depends upon the object that is intersected by the sensor in the simulation.
Therefore a binding needs to be made between the object sensed by the LineSensor
we created earlier.

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5. Click Add Binding in the Properties and Bindings tab of the SC view. Create the
binding as below:

As we also want to be able to detach the attached object we need to add a Detacher
and a binding between the attached part and the part that will be detached.

6. From the Compose tab and add a Detacher base component.

7. Click Add binding in the Properties and Bindings tab of the SC view again and
create the binding as below:

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Internal Signals
Next we will define internal signals in our component that later will be cross connected with
the I/O signals in the Virtual Controller. To define the actions in our SC, we also need to
define some I/O connections.
1. In the Signals and connections tab of the SC view, click Add I/O Signals and add a
digital input signal, diAttach.

2. Create the first two I/O connections with the following input. When the signal is set,
the sensor will become active and attach any object breaking the sensor beam.

3. When the signal diAttach is set low, we want the Detacher to execute. Instead of
creating a new I/O signal we will add a new base component, LogicGate (NOT).
This will trigger the Detacher when the signal is low (NOT high).
4. In the Compose tab of the SC view, click Add component and add a LogicGate.

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5. In the Properties window of the LogicGate, change the Operator to NOT.

6. If you want the component visible in the Layout browser, select Show in Browser
from the context menu.

7. Add two more I/O connections according to the list below. (Ensure you understand
the steps here as this represents the logic discussed in step 3.)

The next step is to create a handshake output signal (SC internal), doAttached from
our SC. This will later be connected to a digital input signal in the robot controller
confirming whether something is attached or not. This signal will be controlled by a
SRLatch (Set-Reset latch) which will be set by the Attacher and reset by the
Detacher.

8. In the Signals and connections tab of the SC view, add a digital output signal,
doAttached.

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9. Add the SRLatch base component from the Compose tab of the SC view.

10. Then continue adding I/O connections according to the list below. Make sure you go
through and understand each step. (This represents the logic discussed in step 7.)

11. To get an overview of the completed SC, click the Design tab of the SC view. To
get a better view click on Auto Arrange. Note that you can also drag the various
compnents around to arrange them according to your preference. You can also make
I/O connections and Bindings directly in the Design tab.

12. Save the SC_VacuumGripper as … Libraries \SC_VacuumGripper.rslib.

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1.3. Create Smart Component - Out Pallet

Overview
In this exercise we will learn how to create a Smart Component (SC) representing an outfeed
pallet.

Preparation
1. Create a new empty station.
2. Import the library file EuroPallet.rslib. (Note this is in the standard ABB library under
equipment.)

3. Set the pallet’s position to X=0, Y=1100, Z=0.

4. As we will modify the library file we need to disconnect the library.
5. In the library context menu, click Disconnect Library.
6. In Modeling tab, click Smart Component to create a new empty SC.

7. Rename the SC to SC_OutPallet.

8. In the Layout browser, drag and drop the Euro Pallet onto the SC_OutPallet.

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Add Base Components

We will start with a Sink for our first base component. This component enable the removal of
a graphic component. (In this example it will be the box the robot places on the pallet.)
1. Click Add component and then select the Sink from the Actions gallery.
2. Open up the properties and bindings tab and select add a Dynamic Property.
3. Give it the name PartFromRobot and under property type select GraphicComponent.

4. Next add a binding to bind the Sink with the Dynamic Property. (In this case it will be
the part dropped off by the robot.)

For the next base component we will add a Comparer. This component enables
the ability to set a signal based upon the result of a property comparison.

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5. Add the base component Comparer which is found under the Signal and Properties
gallery.

6. In the Comparer properties window set values as below and click Apply. Note that the
output signal gets greyed out. (see step 8)

For the next base component we will add a Stop Watch.

7. Add a Stop Watch which is also found in the Signals and Properties gallery.
8. Add a binding to connect the Stop Watch to the Comparer. In this example by making
the binding, the Comparer will set an output after 2 seconds of simulation time.
Ultimately we will use this to remove/delete the part that will be placed on the pallet.

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For the next base component we will add a LogicSRLatch.

1. Add a LogicSRLatch which is again found in the Signals and Properties gallery.
2. Next add an I/O signal of the type DigitalInput as shown below.

3. Add an I/O connection to reset the Stop Watch when the digital input goes high.

4. Add another I/O connection to activate the LogicSRLatch when the digital input
goes high.

5. Add another I/O connection to connect the LogicSRLatch Output signal to the
StopWatch Active signal. This to activate the StopWatch when the digital input
goes high.

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6. Add another I/O connection to connect the Comparer and the Sink. This will
delete the object when the Comparer Output signal goes high (after 2 seconds).

7. Add the final I/O connection to deactivate the StopWatch when the object is
deleted.

8. Verify your design is as shown below.

14. Save the SC_OutPallet as … Libraries \SC_OutPallet.rslib.

1.4. Complete the Palletizing Simulation

Overview
In the next exercise we will complete a palletizing simulation by building a station with our
smart components along with a robot system.

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Preperation
1. Unpack the file Courseware\Stations\SC_Palletizing_Robot.rspag to a new folder
Stations\Module_7|my_SC_Palletizing.
2. Import the ...\Libraries \SC_VacuumGripper.rslib created earlier in this exercise.
3. Import the ...\Libraries \SC_InFeeder.rslib created earlier in this exercise.*
4. Import the ...\Libraries \SC_OutPallet.rslib created earlier in this exercise.
5. Import the library ...\Libraries\box.rslib.*

*Note: When a SC is saved as a library component any links that may have existing during
its creation are removed. This gives us the ability to reuse SC in other stations and
simulations. When this is done some of the base components may need to be connected,
bound etc. to another component.
Hint: In the SC_InFeeder what graphical component are we looking for the Source to copy?

Modify the gripper

To be able to delete the object that the robot has placed on the out pallet, we need to modify
the Smart Component SC_VacuumGripper.
1. Disconnect SC_VacuumGripper from library.
2. Right click on SC_VacuumGripper and select Edit Component in the context menu.
3. In the Properties and Bindings tab, add a new Dynamic Property with the name
PartInGripper of the type GraphicComponent.

4. Bind the property LineSensor – SensedPart to the new property.

5. Add a new DigitalOutput signal with an initial value of 1 and name it doDetached.

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6. Make an I/O Connection from the LogicSRLatch –InvOutput to doDetached.

7. Close the Smart Component Editor window and save the gripper with the same name as
before.
8. Attach SC_VacuumGripper to the robot.

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Station Logic setup

The last step is to setup I/O connections between the Smart Components and the Virtual
Controller to get a complete simulation. This can be thought of as “virtual wiring” between the
various components in the simulation environment whereas in the real application there would
be physical wiring in place between the actual components.

1. Setup the I/O connections according to the list below.

2. Add a binding from SC_VacuumGripper - partInGripper to SC_OutPallet -

PartFromRobot.

Run the Simulation

1. Make sure all I/O signals (including all SC) have the correct start values* and save the
current state.
2. Add the saved state in Simulation Setup and then run the simulation. Refer to
Module 5 for assistance if required.
3. Save the station as a station file (.rsstn) and as a Pack and Go file (.rspag)

*Note: Depending upon the exact signal values you start with multiple boxes may be
created when the simulation is started. One option to correct this may be to change the
Rapid code. In the main procedure an I/O is being pulsed in order to create a new box.
The SC_InFeeder is also using a logic gate to create a new part when the sensor is low at
the end of the conveyor.

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© Copyright 2017 ABB All right reserved.

ABB AB
Robotics Products
SE-721 68 Västerås
Sweden

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