Flexxbotics Software Enables Robot-Driven Manufacturing

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Flexxbotics’ FlexxCore technology enables robots to securely connect and communicate with all types of automation equipment in the smart factory to provide more powerful, flexible and open connectivity. With Flexxbotics’ FlexxCore solution, robots go beyond simply communicating with the machinery; they control and command the machines.

Flexxbotics workcell digitalization delivers robot-driven manufacturing at scale with autonomous process control for advanced machining operations. As the critical software infrastructure for robot-machine connectivity in the Flexxbotics solution, FlexxCore delivers compatibility with over 1000 different models of CNC machines, other factory machinery and inspection equipment options, and reportedly enables 22X faster connector creation than conventional automation integration methods.

FlexxCore is a low-code environment for composing and running connectors that includes a highly secure, high-performance framework for data pipelines with protocols, class structures, method sets and data models for communication and interoperability between robots and all different types of factory assets. With the new FlexxCore at the center of the Flexxbotics solution for robot-driven manufacturing, companies can achieve robotic machine tending results quickly at scale or one workcell at a time, avoiding the disruption of rip and replace initiatives and risks of all-at-once automation projects.

FlexxCore is compatible with a wide range of protocols, including open standards like OPC/UA, MTConnect, Modbus-TCP, TCP/IP, Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet and others, as well as, proprietary protocols such as FOCAS2/FOCAS, MELSEC, Profibus/Profinet, OSP300/OSP200, Haas NextGen and more.

FlexxCore handles a full set of bidirectional communication, transformation and routing capabilities for the connected robots and machines, including loading PLC programs, sending instructions, updating parameters and status awareness so the robots control and command the smart factory equipment. Its SaaS/hybrid architecture runs both online and offline so that production continues regardless of internet access, and Flexxbotics works with existing systems in the smart factory such as CAD/CAM, MES, SCADA/HMI, IIoT, ERP, PLM, custom systems and others.

FlexxCore empowers the robots to draw from DNC interfaces and directly manipulate G code at the machine level to make closed-loop programmatic adjustments to PLC programs in real-time. For example, FlexxCore can read, write and update macro variables, parameters and offsets — such as tool, fixture and work offsets — based on inspection results to adjust for tool wear and other factors so part production remains consistent to specification and tolerance for highly precise quality.