Robot Workcell Simulation with AutomationML Support - An Element of the CAx-Tool Chain in Industrial Automation

This paper describes the integration of the standardized data exchange format AutomationML (Automation Markup Language) in a robot programming and simulation system. The AutomationML importer described here supports the COLLADA 1.5 specification (Collaborative Design Activity) and with it kinematic chains - an important subset of the AutomationML format. This importer integrates the robot simulation system into the CAx tool chain, which is completely based on the AutomationML format. It extends the features of the entire tool chain by additional layout planning, robot offline programming and cycle time analysis; a step towards the integration of AutomationML into the overall workflow in the design and realization of industrial automation systems.