This guide provides a basic introduction to Robotmaster software. There is a basic overview of the user interface and options. Followed by a walkthrough of a programming a job for work cell with a six-axis robot manipulator.
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Contents
Setup
Installation
Installation instructions should be available on the KB.
Licensing
For now, this is covered in separate doc for License Expert and in the RM KB. Rita posted this to the KB. We need to work out where that info will ultimately live.
Part Programming Guide
Opening Robotmaster
Important options
Device and task windows
Add task, discuss the Task
3D navigation
Add CAD, run through the navigation options.
Gnomons
Best to show gnomon with walkthrough, Add cad, enter user coordinate system/frame, show how to move.
Walkthrough
Creating a new task
Importing a CAD file
Creating a contouring operation
Loading a device
Assigning an operation
Calculating
Simulating
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Device tab and Task tab
The pane on the left pane is divided into two tabs: Device and Task. The Device tab is used for robot cell programming. The Task tab is used for adding parts and creating paths and operations.
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A new task called “Task 1” will be created. Note that Task 1 is now the active tab.
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When a task tab is active in Robotmaster, it will enter a Task mode and display several panels several task-specific panels appear on the left:
Parts: This is where parts in the job task are listed. You can import parts in this area.
Operations: Operations added in the job task are listed here. You can create paths and operations for the part parts in this area.
Custom frames: One or more reference frames for the CAD part are listed here.
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ROBOTMASTER_2.7 is a fictional 6-axis robot manipulator that is only used for demonstration purposes. Your copy of Robotmaster will contain a real-world device that corresponds to the physical robots robot(s) you will be programming.
With the robot device loaded and the Device tab active, a model of the robot cell will appear in the viewport.
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In Device mode, device-specific panels will appear on the left:
Operations: Shows the currently loaded device (cell), setup, and program.
Unassigned operations: Any operations created in the job that are not yet assigned to a program are listed here.
Frames: Reference frames appear here.
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Select the Task 1 tab.
In the Parts panel, select
[+].
Browse to the following folder:
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Robotmaster 2025\Samples\CAD
Select Large_Dome.stp.
Click Open.
The A part Largecalled “Large_Dome Dome” will be added to the Parts list and the CAD task. The CAD for the part will be visible in the viewport.
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Separate Workpiece from Fixture.
Add contouring operationNow that the part is imported, let’s inspect it in more detail.
Organizing the CAD model for a part
In the Parts panel, click the expand button next to the part to view CAD model details.
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You can explore the CAD for any part in this tree view. Depending on how the part was drawn in the source CAD file and the CAD file format, it might consist of wires, mesh, points, surfaces, and solids.
In this case, the “Large_Dome” CAD model contains two solid bodies. One body is the dome-shaped part, the other body is the work table.
You can see which is which using the show/hide button.
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In Robotmaster, there are three available types for parts:
Workpiece
Fixture
Stock
Workpiece is used for the actual part; the material that requires robotic operations performed on it. Fixture is used for CAD that doesn’t require any robotic operations, it may represent an object that holds the workpiece in place or a surface that the workpiece rests on. Stock is typically used for original stock material that will not be part of the finished workpiece.
If you right-click the Large_Dome item in the Parts panel, it shows that the entire part is set to Workpiece.
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We will need to separate the two solid bodies into different parts to differentiate the workpiece from the fixture.
Right-click Solid#2, then select Move geometry to new part.
A new part called Large_Dome 1 will be created in the Parts panel. This is the work table.
Right-click Large_Dome 1 and change the type to Fixture.
The work table is now classified as a Fixture. Note that it now has a fixture icon.
Double-click the new part and rename it something that will make it easy to identify, like “Base Fixture.”
With the CAD now correctly organized, let’s add a contouring operation.
Options
Use Options configure the general behavior of Robotmaster.
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