RSP (Robot System Products) specialises in developing, producing, and installing the required robot accessories. When it started to develop a new range of tool changers, they needed to meet their customers’ expectations and provide a tool changer capable of connecting to the factory networks. However, developing the required networking technology is a complicated task, outside RSP’s expertise.
RSP then found Anybus solutions from HMS. HMS helped embed an Anybus communication interface into the tool changer enabling connectivity with the factory’s network and allowing RSP to remain focused on making world-leading robot accessories.
RSP makes industrial robot accessories that are used in factories worldwide. Its strength lies in the specialised knowledge gained from working with industrial robotics for almost 20 years. This specialised knowledge enables them to make robust, versatile industrial robot accessories that help customers improve robot flexibility and increase productivity, explains Henrik Hofström, Marketing Manager, RSP.
One of RSP’s main product ranges is its tool changers. A tool changer is attached to a robot and enables the robot to change the tool quickly and safely. The Moduflex tool changer is attached to the robot enabling the robot to change tools quickly and safely. When RSP was developing its Moduflex series, a new line of tool changers specially designed to carry heavy payloads, they needed to move with the times and provide a modern tool changer that could connect to automation networks.
However, developing the required networking technology is not easy. RSP is an expert in robotics, not industrial networking, explains Mats Thunell, Senior Engineer, RSP. He further adds that RSP wanted to remain focused on robotics, and not invest the time and money to develop an in- house networking solution that’s outside their area of expertise. Fortunately, Anybus allows both companies to focus on what they’re good at, robotics for RSP and networking for Anybus.
To maintain the tool changer’s compact size and avoid extra cables, RSP chose the Anybus CompactCom B40. The Anybus CompactCom B40 was attached to the tool changer’s printed circuit board (PCB). There’s a CompactCom for any major Fieldbus or industrial Ethernet, and it’s easy to swap one CompactCom for another CompactCom, enabling RSP to connect to any factory system, regardless of the network protocol.
Anybus CompactCom is ready-made and easy to install, reducing the time to market for new products. The award-winning Anybus NP40 industrial network processor ensures that the CompactCom meets demanding performance, reliability, and security requirements.