PART 1: INITIAL SETUP

To get started, navigate to the Devices tab on the Current Commands page. If you have a Haas Robot Package installed, you will have an additional tab, the Robot tab. The Robot tab contains three subtabs: Frames, Jogging, and Setup. Starting with the Setup tab, follow the prompts for setting up the robot.  

To set up the Robot, hit the E-stop on the machine and power-on your robot control. Then, select F1; after a few moments, you will see the Robot connected, and the info updated. Now, release the E-stop and hit reset. You have now connected the Robot to your Haas Machine. 

Watch the video above to set up the basic parameters for your Robot, from setting axis speeds and gripper weight, to setting the positions for the Robot. 

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PART 2: SAFETY ZONES

Safety Zones are used to ensure your Robot stays within a specific boundary box to help limit the possibility of crashing into your machine. 

First, align your robot to your cage and to the machine. Then, measure your Robot’s distance from the edge of your workspace. All dimensions need to be in millimeters (mm). After measuring all dimensions, you will need to set up your work zone by logging in to the HMI Pendent. You will need to connect the Robot to a computer with internet access via the ethernet cable. 

Watch the video above for step-by-step set up of your Robot’s safety zones, and how to use the HMI Pendent. 

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PART 3: TEMPLATE SETUP

Set up your parts table using the Template tab. The Template tab is a subtab of the Automatic Part Loader under the Devices tab in Current Commands. This is where you will tell your robot how your parts table is set up. 

Start with Sequence Type, where you can choose between Simple and Custom Sequence. If you are a beginner, start with Simple mode. Once the Sequence type is selected, follow the control’s prompts and intuitive instructions to work through the remaining steps to set up your parts table. 

Watch the video above to step through the operations to set up the parts table for your Robot. 

PART 4: LOAD PARTS TAB

Learn how to load parts into your machine using the Load Parts tab. You will first set up your robot speed. Next, you will initiate Handle Jog mode and set up the initial part pick up location. Once this is set, click F2 to set the reference position. Now, work down the different setup tabs to set the pick-up and drop-off spots for loading your part into your machine. 

Watch the video above to set up the movements of your Robot to load your parts. 

PART 5: UNLOAD PARTS TAB

Learn how to use the Unload Parts tab to unload your parts from the machine. The first step is to select from where you wish the Robot to pick up your part, either the main spindle chuck or the sub-spindle chuck on a lathe, or any workholding you have set up on a mill. 

Helpful hint: Record the first position of the finished part pick-up motion in the same position as the last recorded position of ready motion to make a smooth transition between these two motions. 

Watch the video above to set up the movement of your Robot to pick up your finished parts. 

PART 6: RUN JOB & APL SCHEDULER

Now, you are able to reap the benefits of your setup, and allow the robot to run your jobs unattended. Simply navigate to the Run Job tab, and load the job you would like to run. On this tab, you are able to see the current part being machined, the next part to be machined, the number of completed parts, and the total number of parts to be completed. On the APL Scheduler tab, you are able to schedule multiple jobs in sequence. Once the job is loaded, you are able to able to assign the jobs an order number, which corresponds to the order in which the job will be run.

Watch the video above to run and schedule your robot jobs.

PART 7: CUSTOM SEQUENCES

Custom sequence types allow you to create your own set of motions, and implement them into your part program, instead of using the pre-programmed APL sequences in Simple Mode. To turn on custom sequences, simply navigate to the Template tab, and make sure the Sequence Type is set to Custom Sequence.

Watch the video above to learn how to set up and use custom sequences.