12 posts tagged with "release"

Highlights​

RobFlow V8 now runs on ROS 2, the industry-standard robotics middleware — a new foundation that lets us ship features faster and integrate more easily. On top of it, V8 adds two features for more precision and easier factory integration:

• Built on ROS 2: New features faster, more reliable performance, and easier integration with the wider robotics ecosystem.
• RobCalib — Vision-Based Calibration (Beta): In combination with Workspace referencing, this improves absolute accuracy to ~1 mm on a 300×300 mm grid, with a guided calibration you can run yourself.
• OPC UA Server (Beta): Connect Robot cells to MES and factory IT over the industry-standard OPC UA protocol — no custom integration, secure by default.

Highlights​

• Variable based Subflow selection: allow variable-based Subflow selection within RobFlow, enabling users to dynamically call different Subflows based on a Variable's value. This is critical for high-variance applications, such as palletizing over 100 different layouts with a single master Flow.
• Improved handling of Variables connected to industrial equipment: Variables connected to protocols (like Modbus or Profinet) can be set up and edited even when the devices are offline. Additionally, you can force-run Flows in debug mode even if some devices aren't reachable.
• Better UX for handling Variables in Expression fields: Expression fields are now available in more places (HTML Nodes, Generic Button Widget HTML action, and SQL Node). Variables appear as visually highlighted in the editor, making complex Expressions easier to read.
• Advanced palletizing Node improvements: Pallet positions can now be controlled dynamically by using cartesian Variables and UX behavior, if pose dimensions don't match the pallet length, has been improved. Additionally, the Node now allows for 1-layer setup.
• Efficient Variable updates: Variable changes during a Flow run are now sent instantly instead of on a regular timer getting rid of any latency.
• Performance improvements: With dedicated efforts the performance has been improved significantly, especially while working with Modbus devices.
• Reworked UX & UI for Robot configuration: The configuration UI and UX have been comprehensively updated, now supporting auto-save and Variable preview tables for CSV.

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.

RobFlow V6 introduces new capabilities for connectivity, cell insights, vision, and multi-robot control. Key highlights include:

• RobMetrics OEE: Track Availability, Performance, and Quality metrics in RobCo Studio.
• Variable Inspector: Redesigned interface with search, tagging, and multi-select actions.
• Profinet Integration: Control Robots via Siemens PLCs with native Profinet support.
• Workspace Reference Manager: Automatically update poses after Workspace changes.
• Multi-Robot Dashboards: Monitor and control multiple Robots from one interface.
• RobVision Enhancements: Variable assignment, detection-only mode, and visual grasping pose definition.
• Beta Features: Early access to RobCalibration, RobSafety, Streaming Interface, ROS2 Interface and RobVision Label Picking & Depalletizing.

Features​

Advanced Palletizing Node V2​

Introducing the Advanced Palletizing Node, a newly developed intuitive interface for quickly deploying complex palletizing applications. Following a step-by-step guide, users can configure:

This release adds several improvements to help you build and adapt Flows in RobFlow more effectively. Testing Mode highlights executed Nodes, provides an advanced search function, and lets you run single Nodes in isolation—making debugging more straightforward. The new Path Movement Node supports curved trajectories, useful for tasks like deburring or polishing. Pose Variable Expressions let you apply offsets or overwrite poses, helping you adapt to changes in part size or orientation. The new pausing behavior lets you pause, move the Robot, and decide whether to continue from the new pose or revert to the original path. Finally, the RobCo SDK provides documented interfaces to integrate external devices like cameras, allowing you to update poses through HTTP or WebSocket calls.

Features​

Pose Database for Pose Variables (Cartesian & Joint)​

You can now save and load Pose Variables across different Flows, enabling consistent pose references at multiple Nodes. Additionally, the Expression fields allow you to overwrite a pose with another Pose Variable during runtime, creating dynamic pose adaptations as the Flow progresses. Setting and overwriting Pose Variables via our HTTP API is also possible, allowing you to set and edit Poses via an external device.

In any Node that includes movements, simply click the "Save Pose" button to store the current pose or select a previously saved pose. All saved poses are accessible in the Global Variable Table, where you can view and edit them.

Features​

Restore Variables from backup file​

You can now restore Variables from a backup file.

As you may know, pressing the “Full Backup” button in the RobFlow menu will download a backup folder which contains all Flows, Subflows, Dashboards, Plugins and Variables present on the Control Unit at that moment.

Highlights​

User-defined Variables​

You can now create, edit, delete and observe Variables in RobFlow.

Variables can be used for custom parameters (e.g. to count the production output or build custom conditions) or you can read/write periphery signals (e.g. to control a digital output or change a Modbus register of a PLC to interact with sensors, actors and other devices).

Highlights​

Home Position for Flow​

In the newly created Flow Config, you have the option to set a Home Position for that specific Flow. If it is set and the Robot is not exactly at that Home Position, you cannot start the Flow. Instead, you will see a “Move to Home” button which you have to keep pressed to slowly move the Robot to the desired Home Position.

If you see that the Robot would crash while moving to the Home Position, you just release the button and then move around the obstacle with either Free Motion or jogging.