Roboguide CAD Type

Roboguide V9 will import:
.csb (common for my use)
.igs (common for my use)
.iges (common for my use)
body.dat
.stl (common for my use)
.obj
.dae
.wrl
.vrml
.rwx
.3ds
.dxf

Files that get imported are turned into a .csb file which is used in Roboguide. I will typically use an IGES if there is not too much complicated geometry and I want color; however, they can take a while to import. Otherwise, I will use an .stl since it can be imported quicker, but with no color.

I also believe there is a purchasable option that allows you to import .step files and other more common CAD file types.

I typically use igs or iges from autodesk inventor.

Quote from Im_not_a_robot

Roboguide V9 will import:
.csb (common for my use)
.igs (common for my use)
.iges (common for my use)
body.dat
.stl (common for my use)
.obj
.dae
.wrl
.vrml
.rwx
.3ds
.dxf

Files that get imported are turned into a .csb file which is used in Roboguide. I will typically use an IGES if there is not too much complicated geometry and I want color; however, they can take a while to import. Otherwise, I will use an .stl since it can be imported quicker, but with no color.

I also believe there is a purchasable option that allows you to import .step files and other more common CAD file types.

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If it takes a while to convert a larger file to .csb or that Roboguide crashes, try using the Polygon Reduction tool.

Close all your windows processes and then only use the tool. Located here: C:\Program Files (x86)\FANUC\ROBOGUIDE\bin\polygonreductionapp.exe

Tyler
www.acieta.com

Quote from tacheson

If it takes a while to convert a larger file to .csb or that Roboguide crashes, try using the Polygon Reduction tool.

Close all your windows processes and then only use the tool. Located here: C:\Program Files (x86)\FANUC\ROBOGUIDE\bin\polygonreductionapp.exe

Tyler
www.acieta.com

This is the best advice! I've been fighting my mechanical designers all week trying to get large models to load into ROBOGUIDE.

The next problem we often have is that once I create a work cell, I want to transfer models back to the designers. I can export an IGS, but the files are HUGE. Like, 100x the size they should be. (If I import a 10MB IGS, and then export the cell with only that model, it's now 100MB).

Is there a tool that also helps reduce the output CAD files?

My strategy is to get the 3D cad file of the robot from Fanuc or the CRC website in a different format, not iges. Give that CAD file to your mech designer.

I never export from roboguide, only import. If a work cell change is needed I tell them what I want, and then the re-import the new design.

IGES files are just terrible to deal. Fanuc came out with a cad converter tool but believe it or not it doesn't come with your expensive roboguide license, it's actually a separate paid license.

Every other cad package I've worked with has free built in file type conversion for both import and export.

I found a CAD conversion tool called CAD Assistant by Open Cascade.

It's free for personal AND commercial use.

It does a great job thus far opening the huge IGES files that cause ROBOGUIDE and Polygon Reduction App to crash, and exports to a variety of formats. OBJ and STL are among those that I'm using.

I'm in the unfortunate scenario where I'm often drug into a design too late, and I'm tasked with positioning a robot in a work cell that has no formal layout. I then end up taking measurements of where equipment is located and shifting the robot around to best complete the task. Since I have no CAD package to work with, all layout is done in RoboGuide.

When complete, I want to provide the cell layout to the mechanical team, but they can't import my 1GB+ IGES that roboguide exports... So, I'm stuck trying to take measurements in RoboGuide and relay that information to them... not ideal.

Even CAD Assistant struggles (read: fails) to open those monstrous files.