FANUC: Tablet TP Plug-in SDK – Customizing Your FANUC Cobot’s HMI

July 12, 2023

Cobots are flexible for all types of applications, and with FANUC’s Tablet Teach Pendant (TP) Plug-in SDK, so are the User Interfaces. Plug-in SDK, short for Software Developer’s Kit, is an HTML5/JavaScript-based platform enabling the creation of specific icons for the Tablet TP’s timeline editor as well as to make dedicated screens on the HMI.

The customized screens are full-sized pages, which allow the setup of peripheral devices or interactions with the work cell on the Cobot’s Tablet TP. Additionally, custom icons can be created to perform tasks specific to your application. FANUC created dedicated screens and icons in their collaborative robot bicycle assembly demonstration.

The Cobot Bicycle Assembly Use Case

In FANUC’s CR-35iB collaborative robot  bicycle assembly demonstration, they have created icons that prompt the user to assemble and inspect the bicycle at certain points in the program, after the robot had oriented the bicycle for convenient access for the user.

Additionally, a custom work cell HMI can be created using Plug-in SDK, as FANUC also did in the bicycle assembly demonstration. In the video, you can see where the user checks each step along the assembly process. When finishing one step, a “confirm” button is pressed and the robot moves to the next assembly position where a new set of instructions is displayed. These elements on the Tablet TP were all created via Plug-in SDK.

Custom icons can also be created, which are geared towards your application and can output a custom error. These icons on the Cobot’s Tablet TP can be programmed to complete whatever action you need.

Start Your Programming

To make programming with the Tablet TP SDK easier, FANUC provides preloaded iHMI Components for all controllers with the Tablet TP option. These are uniform FANUC stylesheets for controls, such as buttons and drop-down selection boxes.

You are not limited to these styles, however. In addition to these iHMI components, you are able to use any standard HTML that you might be familiar with or already using.

For creation of the webpages, FANUC offers JavaScript built-ins for handling the communication between your screen and the controller. This would be used for setting or reading values or variables.

Plug-in SDK for Tablet TP Your Way

The SDK allows the generation of structured-text code to fully customize the Tablet TP. Those comfortable with JavaScript programming may create custom icons for use in the timeline editor for programming macros and may design fully intuitive HMI screens suitable to specific needs. This allows you to utilize your FANUC Tablet TP as the primary HMI interface for simple cells rather than needing to purchase 3rd party equipment.

The Tablet TP Plug-in SDK extends the functionality of FANUC’s robot programming language, making FANUC Cobots even more flexible and tailor-made for your needs.

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