iiQWorks.Sim Webinar: Easier Automation with Virtual Simulation

Introducing iiQWorks Suite

• 💡 The iiQWorks suite is a new software platform designed for easier automation, replacing older products like Office PC and Office Lite.
• 🧠 It features a Linux-based architecture with "instances" (similar to Docker containers) for managing different software versions and KUKA Option Packages (KOPs).
• 🚀 The suite includes Cockpit for software management and iiQWorks.Sim for virtual simulation and offline programming.

Hardware Innovations

• 🤖 The new KR C5 Micro-2 controller is 25% smaller with improved access and similar interfaces to its predecessor.
• 📱 The SmartPAD pro pendant offers a new HMI with a web browser, and the Smart Plug enables a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) model for running applications on personal devices (Windows, Mac, Android).
• ✨ A KUKA AI board is available for advanced AI and vision functions.

iiQWorks.Sim Capabilities

• 📊 iiQWorks.Sim Basic allows for 3D space viewing, simple cycle time measurements, and robot/IO configuration.
• 🛠️ The Sim Advanced version provides full 3D virtualization, collision detection, object import, offline programming, CAD to path features, and grasp/release functionalities.
• ✅ It serves as a digital twin, allowing users to run a fully functional virtual robot controller and HMI on a PC.

Practical Application: Conveyor.Tech Example

• ⚙️ The webinar demonstrated building a robot cell by importing 2D CAD drawings, placing a KR10 robot, and configuring belt and tracking conveyors.
• 📦 It covered adding components like stops, product creators, and sensors, along with a predefined vacuum gripper.
• 💻 The process involved defining multiple tools, creating main and sub-programs, teaching robot positions, and setting up ConveyorTech commands for tracking and IO mapping.

Key Features and Future Developments

• 🎯 The digital twin functionality is highlighted as the best feature, enabling comprehensive virtual testing and control.
• 🔄 KRL code from 8.x software can be imported, though older SIM files are not directly compatible.
• 🌱 Future developments include the RoboTeam package for multiple robots and enhanced capabilities for online edits and remote views.
• 🔒 Robot safety configuration is managed through the devices tab using the Argus safety system.