Adept PLC - Manual

YOUR INTELLIGENT ROBOTICS PARTNER
Introduction
Most manufacturers looking to remain competitive understand the advantages automation offers including
increased production rates, improved quality, and reduced product costs. The decision to automate however is
often approached with trepidation as the cost to implement just a single automated cell can seem a daunting
prospect. The cost of the robot alone may appear expensive but when you consider that much of the total cost
of deploying a robotic cell includes programming software, training, & maintenance, the evaluation can become
quite complex.
To meet this challenge, robotic equipment manufacturers are constantly exploring methods to not only reduce the
costs associated with implementation, but ways to simplify installation, programming, and subsequently lower the
total cost of ownership. The following looks at this cost of ownership issue, how end-users have traditionally been
tackling this issue, and new methods of simplifying programming and reducing the cost of ownership of a robotic
application by leveraging knowledge and hardware the end-user already maintains. Specifically, the following
addresses the utilization of the end-user’s knowledge of programmable logic controls (PLC) or ladder logic to
program robotic cells.
An additional consideration for many manufacturers is the need to comply with FDA regulations such as 21 CFR
Part 11 which is a set of regulations that governs the way FDA regulated industries manage electronic records and
electronic signatures. Commonly known as Part 11, these regulations establish the criteria under which electronic
records and signatures can be considered equivalent to paper-based records and handwritten signatures. With
shorter product life-cycles increasing the risk of poor quality, standard methods of traceability are no longer
practical. Manufacturers need to electronically track when changes to software have been made in order to
demonstrate traceability within a process and ultimately overall accountability. The robotics industry, with its use
of proprietary controls platforms, has historically not permitted those required to adhere to these regulations to
realize the productivity gains associated with flexible automation.
Cost of Ownership
Robot manufacturers offer proprietary software suites and controls platforms that deliver different and unique
installation and operational experiences for integrators and users. This means that in addition to the robot
purchase, robotic end-users incur additional costs to train their engineers on the proprietary programming
software and training operators to maintain & support these unique robotic solutions. The end-user must then
address where to obtain training, who will train them, and the scope and costs associated with training activities
such as travel, accommodations, and the time away from the competing obligations. This all affects the robotic
customer’s total cost of ownership and only marginally addresses ease of use.
ADEPT WHITE PAPER
PLC Robot Programming: Familiar Programming, Reduced
Costs of Implementation and 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance