Image backup for ABB robot?

    Hello. I'm sort of a newbie and have some questions about backups and software commissioning.

    I'm tasked with programming a line of ABB robots and made simulations for each with a virtual controller in Robotstudio. Soon I'll be working with FANUC robots as well. I was asked if the FANUC controllers will require downloading external software.

    I didn't have to do this when we powered on an ABB dispensing robot, as it arrived with the Dispense application already installed in the controller. I simply copied my program to the physical controller and took a backup containing the usual data, i.e., BACKINFO, CS, HOME, RAPID, SYSPAR, etc.

    I understand FANUC controllers have options for MD and IMG backups. I've been asked to take image backups of the ABB robots, too.

    If an IMG backup comprises everything in an MD plus the robot’s core software, patches, and any software customizations, then is my ABB backup already an image? If not, how might I get an image of the system? And is it necessary to have to load an image onto a brand new controller?

    Quote from Imran Khan

    I was asked if the FANUC controllers will require downloading external software.

    Like what? Unlike RobotStudio, RoboGuide has no "free" version -- it's full pay-to-play. However, compared to RS, RG is much more a simulation system and much less of a config/debug system.

    If you're referring to Fanuc system options, those need to be ordered with the robot. It's possible to add options after the fact, but this usually doesn't involve downloading software -- instead, it takes getting a special RAC Code to "unlock" the option on the controller.

    For most robot brands (including ABB) you can take out the flash drive and put in a PC (using a USB flash card reader) and take a complete image backup using CloneZilla. This is useful to have in case you get a corrupted drive in the future and you need to replace it. The CloneZilla image backup is more comprehensive and in addition to regular backups created with the teach pendant. The CloneZilla image backup is always the first thing I do when receiving a new or secondhand robot.

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