Students | Start-ups | Makers

In medical applications and industrial applications, such as machine tending or product packaging, self-developed serial and parallel robot kinematics play an increasingly important role. Their development requires sound knowledge in robotics, control engineering, automation technology, and the effective use of simulation tools.

A training platform was developed as part of three final theses. The platform allows users to carry out industrial tasks ranging from analyzing the requirements (installation space, positioning accuracies, speeds, etc.) to the commissioned application. CAD designs, kinematic models, algorithms for calculating direct and inverse kinematics, path planning, position, and speed controls of the drives and state machines are created in each case. Each step utilizes, appropriate simulation models are used for development, testing, and optimization. For Model-in-the-Loop (MiL), Software-in-the-Loop (SiL), and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) simulation – as well as for virtual and real commissioning of the application – simulation models are transferred to the target hardware using automatic code generation and executed in real-time.

The virtual models of serial and parallel robot kinematics can be used for location-independent execution of exercises. The final automation program can be employed on the actual laboratory equipment either on-site or via remote access.

Project partners: The MathWorks GmbH | igus polymer Innovationen GmbH | Beckhoff Automation GmbH

The fundamentals of robotics – such as the development of kinematic models, the calculation of direct and inverse kinematics as well as the creation of trajectories in joint space and Cartesian space – can be taught in a practical and motivating way through practical tasks and associated laboratory setups as well as associated virtual models.

With the help of this educational set – developed in the context of two thesis – students, educational institutions, and the maker movement have access to a cost-effective platform for (self-)study of the fundamentals of robotics and modeling. All exercises, examples, and algorithms are implemented in The MathWorks MATLAB and Simulink software environment – using the Robotics System Toolbox – and tested on a virtual robot model. The developed programs and algorithms are implemented using automatic code generation to commission the actual robot model. Due to the seamless integration with MATLAB and Simulink, the integrated development environment of the development board does not have to be installed or operated. Thus, even people without an affinity for programming can focus on the teaching content of robotics and modeling.

Project partners: The MathWorks GmbH

The fundamentals of control engineering, such as modeling dynamic systems and developing adequate controllers, can be taught in a practical and motivating way. This can be done through practical tasks, laboratory setups, and virtual models.

With the help of this educational set, developed in the course of two theses, students, educational institutions, and the maker movement have access to a cost-effective platform for (self-)study of the fundamentals of control engineering. Here, all steps of model-based development of control systems can be applied. After establishing the design criteria, the system is modeled analytically or with the help of system identification – respectively is transferred into different model descriptions in the time- or frequency-domain – and is implemented software-supported. In further consequence, adequate control strategies are identified, corresponding controllers are developed analytically or software-based, and controllers are tested against the model.

All exercises, examples, and algorithms are implemented in The MathWorks MATLAB and Simulink software environment - using the Robotics System Toolbox - and tested on a virtual robot model. The developed programs and algorithms are implemented on the development board using automatic code generation to launch the actual robot model. As a result of the seamless integration in MATLAB and Simulink, the integrated development environment of the development board does not have to be installed or operated. Thus, even people with no previous programming experience can focus on the teaching content on robotics and modeling.

Project partners: The MathWorks GmbH

This project involves the independent, in-depth study of expert knowledge on project planning, development, commissioning, and operation of a robot-based production cell. Within the scope of several final theses, students dealt with topics such as concept development, application of standards and guidelines for machine safety and food production, computer-aided mechanical design, development, and validation of safety concepts, offline simulation and programming of robot systems, industrial communication, and automation technology as well as virtual and real commissioning.

Project partners: Gruber Schanksysteme – Privatquelle Gruber GmbH & Co KG | ABB AG | Pilz Ges.m.b.H. Sichere Automation | SCHUNK Intec GmbH | IBF Solutions GmbH | Niederbacher GmbH

Getting girls and young women excited about STEM professions is the goal of Girls' Day Tyrol. Through various industrial robotics, automation, and production technology stations, they are given insights into the occupational fields of automation technicians and robot programmers to spark an interest in a technical training program or technical studies.

Project partners: Tiroler Arbeitsmarktförderungsgesellschaft mbH | Amt der Tiroler Landesregierung – Abteilung Gesellschaft und Arbeit | Industriellenvereinigung Tirol