SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT KIT

The flex pendent-SDK (software development kit) was initiated in 2003, in parallel with further enhancement of the flex pendent base software .An EAP customers was soon initiated, and klockner-desma, a German company targeting the shoe manufacturing industry, realized innovative ideas on how to facilitate the task of supervising the soling process .The idea was it display the robot path, i.e., the contour of the sole graphically, thus providing an easier way to tune robot positions. While robots are usually delivered with a general operator interface, a customized solution is clearly more desirable to the end user. Tailored solutions are easier to operate and they optimize user’s investment in automation. The flex pendent SDK has been part of the software product robot application builder (RAB) since 2004. This allows an end-user or a third party to develop their own robot applications. These RABapplications are integrated with the basic functionality of the flex pendent using the standard structured menu systems. RAB represents an imported advancement in robot technology and places the As product ahead of its competitor’s.

Among programs .NET distinguishes itself by the Microsoft . .NET frame work. One feature is its programming language independence, leaving the choice to the RAB developer to use any language provided by the integrated development environment, Microsoft visual studio. Most prefer C# or visual basic, which offer safe, yet efficient, development. As the majority of programmers already know how to program windows platforms using visual studio, they do not need extensive training when to RAB.


ADVANCED SOFTWARE PRODUCTS

To further speed up the development process for the customer, Virtual IRC5 is included in the robot application builder package. Using virtual robot technology ,virtual ICR5 literally puts a robot controller on the desktop, as it allows the IRC5 controller software to run on a pc. An important feature of the .NET framework is that compiled .NET code can run on any way supported platform. This has enabled the development of a virtual IRC5 , in parallel with that of the real device . Custom applications can thus be developed tested at the desktop. Debugging is easy, with either a virtual or a real flex pendent. The user needs only attaché the main process visual studio, set a break point in the code and step through it while it is executing. Developing real-time applications for devices with limited nevertheless, more demanding than developing PC applications. Therefore , the user documentations emphasizes the skills of optimizing for performing and memory consumption.

THE FUTURE

The embedded technology chosen for the new generation of smart devices for the robot industry has exceeded expectation. Advantages such as world wide competence of platform, lasting commitment from Microsoft to the embedded market and continues inspiration from the PC world, all contribute to making windows CE.NET a long term technology choice. Mean while the robot market will be strengthened as state-of –the –art technology, flexibility and ease- of –use combine to further enhance robot automation, and competitive advantage.