Offline programming software for arc-welding robots

A precursor in 1994, the act/weld software is now an essential solution for the offline programming of welding robots that several robot manufacturers or integrators currently propose to their customers.

act/weld enables the user to graphically program a robot from a virtual scene and qualified welding conditions. The parts or assemblies to be welded, together with the tooling, are imported from a 3D CAD system via native or neutral formats (STEP and IGES). A specific simulator enables users to take into account all controller parameters and to simulate the movements of the robot on the screen.

act/weld integrates welder know-how together with programming and simulation tools that enable the user to create his programs optimally, and even to validate the design of a tooling or to study a cell layout.

A post-processor specifically adapted to the controller allows the generation of the programs executed with act/weld in robot language. The integration of functions specific to cell and part-program sizing enables the user to take into account all automatic error correction functions relative to robots (shifting of trajectories via sensing of joint follow-up, laser camera…) and it is possible to upload the modified programs in the robot in order to optimize programming.

Customer benefits

• Increase in productivity by shifting programming activity from robot to computer
• Reduction in programming costs
• Improvement in quality thanks to automation tools and included welder know-how
• Optimization of cycle time
• Realistic simulation which guarantees reliability, in both cell design and production
• Rapid machine program availability
• Better working conditions and increase in programmer safety.

Case studies

> An example of use of act/weld at Trane
> An example of use of act/weld at Marcel Testaert
> An example of use of act/weld at Tomark