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RobFlow 7.0

· 9 min read
RobCo Team
Product

RobFlow V7 is the most significant update yet — featuring a completely redesigned interface, native database and data connectivity, new Nodes for industrial integration, and up to 6x faster Flow loading. Key highlights include:

  • Redesigned UI: Ground-up overhaul with a centralized bottom action panel, moveable 3D visualizer, fully responsive layouts down to 512px, and modernized menus across the entire application.
  • 6x Faster Load Times: Optimized rendering and intelligent Node caching deliver 6x faster initial Flow loads and 4x lower RAM consumption.
  • SQL Query Node: Execute queries against PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, and Microsoft SQL Server directly from a Flow.
  • HTTP Node: Perform HTTP requests natively within Flows to connect to REST APIs, webhooks, or ERP systems.
  • CSV Node & Download Widget: Collect, transform, and export tabular data during Flow execution with a Dashboard download Widget for operators.
  • Advanced Palletizing Update: Improved palletizing Node with bug fixes, Variable bindings to box groups, and faster configuration.
  • Profinet & Modbus Variable Bindings: Bind Variables directly to Profinet I/O fields and Modbus registers with unified native bindings.
  • Beta Features: Early access to Auto-Layout.

Features​

Redesigned User Interface​

Redesigned User Interface

RobFlow v7 delivers a ground-up UI overhaul focused on operator efficiency, spatial clarity, and responsive design. Every major interface element has been rethought to reduce clicks, improve orientation in complex Flows, and adapt to any screen size.

Key capabilities:

  • Centralized bottom action panel: Play, Pause, Debug, Flow Config, Jogging, Run Single Node, Run & Skip Movement Until Node, Move Back to Trajectory, Resume from Current Location, Subflow Outputs, and Dashboard Config — all consolidated into one intuitive bottom panel.
  • Moveable & expandable 3D visualizer: The Robot visualizer has been relocated to the left side of the screen and is now freely moveable and resizable, giving operators full control over their Workspace layout.
  • Fully responsive layout (512px+): Every menu, button, and panel is now fully responsive. The previous “display too small” dialog has been removed; RobFlow now supports screens as narrow as 512px.
  • Unified Robot state drawer: All Robot state indicators are combined into a single dynamic navigation drawer. Variables have been moved to a dedicated panel on the right side of the screen.
  • Context menu node/Widget creation: Right-click (or long-press on mobile) anywhere on the canvas to add Nodes and Widgets directly from a context menu. Copy/paste now places content at the cursor location.
  • Redesigned jogging panel: Split into dedicated Joint Movement and Cartesian Movement tabs with an enhanced speed indicator on the Move-to-Target and Run buttons.
  • Smart Node interaction model: Collapsed Nodes stay collapsed when dragged. Expanded Nodes are dragged via a dedicated icon. Hold-to-action buttons (e.g., Debug) feature new animation indicators.
  • Visual polish: Rounded menus throughout, marquee effect for long text, redesigned dot-grid view selector, HTML-capable Documentation Group descriptions, and refined expansion panel styling.

SQL Query Node​

You can now execute database queries directly from a Flow, enabling your Robot workflows to read from and write to production databases in real time. This is ideal for logging production data, querying BOM tables, or driving Flow logic from external systems.

Key capabilities:

  • Multi-driver support: Connect to PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, and Microsoft SQL Server.
  • Flow-integrated queries: Run SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and other SQL statements as part of your Flow logic.
  • Production data logging: Automatically log cycle counts, quality results, or timestamps to an external database during Flow execution.

How to use it:

  1. Add a SQL Query Node to your Flow.
  2. Configure the database connection (host, port, credentials, database name).
  3. Write your SQL query, optionally referencing RobFlow Variables in the query parameters.
  4. Run the Flow — the query executes at the configured point in the workflow.

HTTP Node​

The new HTTP Node lets you perform HTTP requests natively within Flows, connecting your Robot workflows to REST APIs, webhooks, or MES/ERP systems without any external scripting.

Key capabilities:

  • Native HTTP requests: Send GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE requests from within any Flow.
  • API & webhook integration: Trigger webhooks, call REST endpoints, or communicate with MES/ERP systems as part of the robot’s workflow.
  • Secure backend routing: Generic Button Widget HTTP requests are now routed securely through the backend.

How to use it:

  1. Add an HTTP Node to your Flow.
  2. Configure the request method, URL, headers, and body.
  3. Optionally map response data to RobFlow Variables for use in downstream logic.

CSV Node & CSV Download Widget​

Collect, transform, and export tabular data during Flow execution. The companion CSV Download Widget enables operators to retrieve CSV files directly from Dashboard kiosks, making data access easy without leaving the operator interface.

Key capabilities:

  • In-flow data collection: Build CSV datasets row by row during Flow execution.
  • Dashboard download: Operators can download CSV files directly from the Dashboard using the new Download Widget.
  • Data export: Export production logs, quality reports, or cycle data as CSV files.

How to use it:

  1. Add a CSV Node to your Flow to define columns and append rows during execution.
  2. Add the CSV Download Widget to your Dashboard.
  3. Operators press the download button on the Dashboard to retrieve the latest CSV file.

Advanced Palletizing Node Update

CSV Node & CSV Download Widget

The Advanced Palletizing Node has been significantly improved with new capabilities, a redesigned interface ported to the new v7 UI, and critical bug fixes for more reliable pallet building.

Key capabilities:

  • Automated Grid Pattern Generation: Automatically generate grid-based pallet layer patterns instead of manually defining each box position, speeding up configuration for standard layouts.
  • Box-to-Box Snapping: Snap boxes to adjacent positions when defining layouts for faster, more precise pattern creation.
  • Robot position in pallet visualization: See the robot’s current position relative to the pallet directly in the 3D visualization, improving spatial awareness during teaching and testing.
  • Box Group Global Variable Binding: Bind box group parameters (e.g., dimensions, count) to global Variables, allowing operators to switch between box configurations from the Dashboard or via external devices without modifying the Flow.
  • “Next Group” Variable exposure: Access the next box group index as a Variable in your Flow logic, enabling dynamic decisions based on which box group is being processed next.
  • Improved item selection & order UX: A more intuitive interface for selecting start/end items and defining the palletizing order within each layer.

Set Brakes Node​

Programmatically engage or release Robot brakes during Flow execution. Visual feedback with colored lock icons provides clear brake-state confirmation to operators.

How to use it:

  1. Add a Set Brakes Node to your Flow.
  2. Configure whether to engage or release brakes.
  3. The Node executes at the configured point in your Flow, with visual status icons confirming the brake state.

Flow Mini Map​

A persistent overview mini map in the bottom-right corner provides spatial orientation in large Flows. This makes navigating complex workflows faster and more intuitive, especially for Flows with many branches or Nodes.

Profinet Variable Bindings​

You can now bind Integer, Float, Boolean, Input, and Output Variables directly to Profinet I/O fields. This replaces the legacy standalone Profinet Variable system with unified native bindings, making PLC integration more seamless and consistent.

Key capabilities:

  • Unified bindings: Bind any supported Variable type directly to Profinet I/O fields from the Variable Editor.
  • Native integration: No separate Profinet Variable configuration needed — Variables are managed alongside all other RobFlow Variables.
  • Multi-type support: Integer, Float, Boolean, Input, and Output Variables are all supported.

Note: This replaces the previous standalone Profinet Variable system from v6. Existing Profinet Variables will need to be reconfigured as native bindings.

Modbus Variable Bindings​

Bind Integer and Boolean Variables directly to Modbus registers and coils. Flows automatically pause if a Modbus device connection is lost, preventing unsafe operation.

Key capabilities:

  • Direct register binding: Map RobFlow Variables to Modbus holding registers and coils.
  • Automatic safety pause: If the connection to a Modbus device is lost during Flow execution, the Flow automatically pauses to prevent unsafe operation.
  • Unified Variable management: Modbus-bound Variables appear alongside all other Variables in the Variable Inspector.

Beta Features​

With this release, three Beta Features are available. In the Robot Configuration (under Update-Channel), you can switch between Stable and Beta mode to access these experimental features.

Important: There is no support for Beta features, and there might be breaking changes in features between Beta and Stable state.

Auto-Layout (Beta)​

Automatically reorganize Nodes in a Flow for visual clarity. Accessible via a dedicated button on the canvas toolbar. This is especially useful after importing complex Flows or when a Flow has grown organically over time.

Note: Disabled while a Flow is running. The layout algorithm may produce suboptimal results on very large or highly nested Flows.

Miscellaneous​

  • Log download: Download complete system logs from the three-dot menu for faster remote debugging and support workflows.
  • Prevent kiosk breakout: A new Dashboard Config toggle locks operators into kiosk mode, preventing unauthorized navigation away from the configured Dashboard.
  • Node counter & performance hints: A live Node counter warns users when Flow complexity may impact performance, guiding them toward optimization or Subflow extraction.
  • Advanced camera settings (RobVision): Configure exposure, auto-exposure, distance filters, and camera calibration parameters directly in the RobFlow UI with full Orbbec camera support.
  • Network configuration: Complete peripheral port network configuration including default gateway and DNS server, with a connectivity indicator in the app bar.

Fixes​

  • Resolved an issue where the Edit Variable Dialog could silently lose values under certain race conditions.
  • Variables from Subflows now correctly appear in the extended Variable Editor.
  • Fixed a recursive deadlock triggered when moving multiple Group Nodes simultaneously.
  • Exported Flows now include all necessary Robot configuration: Tools, Workspaces, Modbus devices, and RobVision devices.
  • Eliminated a backend race condition when setting a Tool and executing a Relative Movement in rapid succession.
  • Database upsert timestamps are now correctly updated.
  • Node execution state indicators no longer persist beyond their intended timeout.

Changed​

  • “Constant” renamed to “Readonly”: The “constant” field on Variables has been renamed to “readonly.” Editing of readonly Variables is now permitted when a Flow is not running.
  • Event Node → OEE Event Node: The Event Node has been renamed to OEE Event Node to better reflect its purpose. Existing Flows will be migrated automatically.
  • Robot Config in exports: Flow and Subflow exports now include Robot Config data. On import, users are prompted to keep existing or overwrite per entity type.
  • UI layout changes: The Flow action bar, Jogging panel, and Robot State indicators have been relocated. Operators accustomed to v6 layouts should review the new centralized bottom panel and right-side state drawer.