Need help programming jobs offline for an old MRC SK16

    Alright guys, I got my hand on a really really cheap Motoman SK16 with its controller (basically lower than metal price) from an university. I am converting this welding robot to plasma cutting and routing later on. However, even after reading all the manuals, I still don't get how to program the robot with a PC without paying thousands to do it. I don't even need online programming, It will basically cut metal sheets and thats about it so offline programming should work...?

  • Lemster68 March 20, 2025 at 4:18 PM

    Approved the thread.
    Quote from Mathieu Gilbert

    The problem is I can't seem to get Motosim EG VRc without paying lots of money

    EG-VRC won’t work for you. You would need EG. That supports the older generations.


    If you want to program moves offline, you need software. Software costs money. It might pop up on EBay every now and again.

    I know a thing or two, because I’ve seen a thing or two. Don't even ask about a third thing. I won't know it.

    • New

    MRC has no way of supporting a function like this. In the day of MRC there was very (and I mean VERY) little 3D graphics and programming. The offline programming of MRC was based on the original MotoSim (called Rotsy) and neither had the ability to import anything. You had to draw everything from scratch.

    As well, the only way to load a job into an MRC is with RS232 communication.

    Robodoc

    • New

    the only software that will communicate with it must run on a 32-bit computer with Windows XP (Yaskawa did not continue to upgrade the old RS232 software after Windows...)

    Practically, how is this done?
    I have such a computer with XP installed,
    but how do I use it?

    • New
    Quote from Mathieu Gilbert

    I wanted to upload 2D jobs for plasma cnc for customized shape cutting. I have no idea how I could manually program the robot to follow the exact shape..unless you know o.o

    This would require some sort of CAD-to-Path tool, and most of them cost money.

    There is also the problem of MRC being an old controller and most software that can do this kind of task are probably not compatible with this generation of controller.

    And, lastly, you would also need to use FDE for Windows to upload the produced jobs on MRC. Even bought second hand, it will also cost money.

    That said, if you are planning make just 2D cuts (XY plane), there are some CAD-to-Path and/or DXF converters around Internet. If you have the time and skills, You can maybe adapt one of those solutions to your needs.

    • New
    Quote from Robodoc

    You need FDE for Windows. Don't know anyone who is selling that anymore.

    Quote from massula

    This would require some sort of CAD-to-Path tool, and most of them cost money.

    There is also the problem of MRC being an old controller and most software that can do this kind of task are probably not compatible with this generation of controller.

    And, lastly, you would also need to use FDE for Windows to upload the produced jobs on MRC. Even bought second hand, it will also cost money.

    That said, if you are planning make just 2D cuts (XY plane), there are some CAD-to-Path and/or DXF converters around Internet. If you have the time and skills, You can maybe adapt one of those solutions to your needs.

    I have FDE and the physical "key", I just cant seem to be able to run the software on a newer pc. I have to get an old pc I think...

    • New
    Quote from Mathieu Gilbert

    I have FDE and the physical "key", I just cant seem to be able to run the software on a newer pc. I have to get an old pc I think...

    Maybe a virtual machine, an Serial to USB converter and some tinkering with COM ports inside the virtual machine can do the trick.

    I never tried this setup with FDE specifically, but done that with other pretty old software and it worked.

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