Simple Machine Tool Interfaces. For

Simple Machine Tool Interfaces. For maximum safety and optimal cycle time, it is vital for a machine tool to communicate well with the robot and vice versa. Machine signals indicating important information, such as “door is open,” “vice is closed,” or “part is in place,” keep the robot in the know and on task. While it is possible for some robots to be interfaced directly into a machine tool via a factory interface option, most must be configured with a communication interface like EtherNet I/P. Similar to standard office EtherNet, EtherNet I/P uses the same type of TCP and I/P messaging, but has an application layer where the data is arranged in objects. By using standardization software such as this, the integration process is eased and safety increases due to the reduction of robot control wiring required.