Integration of technological planning into robot programming

Robots are important components for flexible automation. The enlargement of their application are as well as their integration into CIM requires the availability of computer-aided planning and off-line programming tools. Especially for robot programming experts of the different application domains are required. The expert knowledge includes technological parameters and the requirements for the execution of specific manufactory processes. Needed are programming systems which enable the integration of technological planning tools. The paper reports about an off-line programming system realized in the frame of the ESPRIT 623 project. Furthermore the concept and realization approach for the integration of a technological planning tool which is under development within the frame of ESPRIT 2202 (CIM-PLATO) is outlined.