BobCAD-CAM Introduction

The RoboDK add-in for BobCAD-CAM allows you to quickly set up robot machining projects directly from BobCAD-CAM software. With the RoboDK integration for BobCAD-CAM software you can easily combine BobCAD-CAM machining software with RoboDK to simulate and program industrial robot arms for robot machining.

Plugin BobCAD CAM - Image 1

With this BobCAD add-in you can easily generate error-free programs for robot machining directly from BobCAD-CAM software. Alternatively, RoboDK also supports APT CLS and G-code machining files.

More information about RoboDK for robot machining is available in the Robot Machining Section. Learn more about BobCAD-CAM software by visiting the BobCAD website.

This document describes how to set up the RoboDK plugin for BobCAD-CAM software.

Important: This plugin requires BobCAD-CAM v34 or later to work. You should also use the APT post processor (the APT post processor is a built-in post).

Tip: Read the following article to better understand the differences between a CNC and a robot for machining: https://robodk.com/blog/robot-machining-vs-cnc/.

BobCAD-CAM Install

Follow these steps to install the RoboDK AddIn for BobCAD-CAM. Make sure to use BobCAD-CAM v3.4 or later.

1.Open the folder BobCAD-CAM plugin folder in RoboDK:
C:/RoboDK/Other/Plugin-BobCADCAM
Alternatively, you can download the RoboDK plugin for BobCAD-CAM:
https://robodk.com/files/upload/BobCAD-CAM-RoboDK-plugin.zip
And mark the plugin as safe:
right click on the ZIP folder, select Properties and check the option Unblock.

2.Run the Install.bat file .
If running the Install.BAT file fails, you can extract the contents of the ZIP folder to the folder:
C:\BobCAD-CAM Data\BobCAD-CAM V34
Or your equivalent installation directory. Merge the contents if needed.

3.Restart BobCAD-CAM software.

The plugin install folder should look as shown in the following image.

Plugin BobCAD CAM - Image 2

Toolbar

When you open BobCAD-CAM software you should see a RoboDK toolbar. Select this RoboDK tab to see the available options to setup your robot machining project in RoboDK.

Plugin BobCAD CAM - Image 3

Robot setup

The Robot setup button opens RoboDK and opens a default robot machining project you can use to start your robot simulation and robot machining project.

You can easily change the robot, modify the tool and/or the reference frame. As an example, follow these steps to change the robot:

1.Right click the robot

2.Select Replace robot (as shown in the image)

3.Select the new robot

The RoboDK installer only provides a few robots by default, however, it is possible to download more robots from the online library.

More information about adding a robot tool is available in the Getting Started Section.

Tip: Hold the Alt key to move a reference frame or a robot. This is useful to move the robot within the station or to position/orient the part in front of the robot.

Hold Alt+Shift to move a robot tool (TCP). This is useful to set the pose of the robot before teaching a target.

Save the project to keep the changes by selecting File➔Save Station (Ctrl+S).

Update selected operations

Select the Update Operations button to send the machining toolpath from BobCAD-CAM software to RoboDK. This will override any existing robot machining projects that have the same name.

A green check mark will be displayed if the program is feasible with the selected robot. If there are any issues (such as singularities, axis limits or reach issues), a red mark will be displayed with a message of the issue.

Double click the robot machining project to open the robot machining settings specific to one operation. More information about the robot machining settings available in the Robot Machining section.

Right click a program and select Run to simulate it (or double click the program). You can also select Generate robot program (F6) to obtain the robot program that needs to be loaded on the robot controller. More information about how to generate robot programs is available in the Offline Programming section.

If required, right click a program and select Select Post Processor to change the post processor. This step may help you customize the appearance of your generated code. More information about selecting and customizing post processors is available in the post processors section.

Generate program

You can generate robot programs directly from BobCAD-CAM software once your RoboDK station is ready. To do so, select Generate Program. This option will update the robot programs according to the machining toolpath defined in your BobCAD-CAM project.

Note: The Generate selected robot program button allows you to quickly update the robot code if you made minor edits. It is recommended to use the Update Operations for normal operations.

Follow these steps in RoboDK to view or modify the location of your robot programs:

1.Select Tools-Options

2.Select the Program tab

3.Select Set in the Robot programs folder

Plugin Settings

Select the Settings button to open the settings related to the RoboDK plugin for BobCAD-CAM.

Plugin BobCAD CAM - Image 6

Among other things, you can modify the following options:

1.Use the BobCAD-CAM template instead of the RoboDK template (the 3D navigation and color templates in RoboDK will match BobCAD-CAM style).

2.Load and update the part in RoboDK every time you post a new machining operation. Only visible solids and surfaces will be loaded.

3.Checking the option Invert machine tool axis allows you to automatically account for your tool Z axis pointing towards the inner side of the tool (instead of pointing toward the outside).

4.Use G-Code files instead of APT files. RoboDK can read the following files to generate robot simulations and programs:

a.APT files (default option): Loads BobCAD-CAM native APT files in RoboDK. This is the preferred method for most operations.

b.G-code files: Generates G-code machining files. Note that this format depends on the post processor you select, and it is mostly designed to work with 3-axis machining toolpaths.

RoboDK Plugin for BobCAD-CAM