PILZ robot manipulator module PRBT 6 in ROS

Package: pilz_robots

The meta package for the PILZ manipulator PRBT 6. Here you can find documentation of the individual packages. For a general overview and link collection we refer to the wiki page.

Build Status

Kinetic	Melodic

Package: prbt_support

The package contains the robot description of the PRBT manipulator.

• urdf/ contains the xacros for generating the urdf descriptions of the PILZ robot PRBT.
• meshes/ contains the stl files for visualization
• test/ contains test files for urdf
  • build tests: catkin_make tests
  • build and run tests: catkin_make run_tests
• config/ defines the controllers and drivers. Loads the specialized PilzTrajectoryController.

Pilz Coordinate Frames

To see the robot in rviz you can use roslaunch prbt_support test_urdf.launch

The joint directions are illustrated in the following image:

Configure the tcp

You can easily adjust the tool center point frame with an offset and rotation in the xacro file.

1. Open prbt_support/urdf/prbt.xacro
2. Edit the lines to your desired offset

  <xacro:unless value="$(arg gripper)">
    <xacro:arg name="tcp_offset_xyz" default="0 0 0"/>
    <xacro:arg name="tcp_offset_rpy" default="0 0 0"/>
  </xacro:unless>

Note: You can set a different default if you have a gripper attached.

Package: prbt_moveit_config

The package is generated by moveit setup assistant. It contains configuration files and launch files needed to start up the robot including planning and execution.

Configuring the robot

Use the launch file moveit_planning_execution.launch to bringup the robot controllers with the complete moveit pipeline. The launch file allows to set optional parameters

• sim (default: True)
  true: Use fake execution and display emulated robot position in RViz
  false: connect to real robot using ros_canopen
• pipeline (default: ompl)
  Planning pipeline to use with moveit
• gripper (default: None)
  See Running the prbt with a gripper

Running the simulation

1. Run roslaunch prbt_moveit_config moveit_planning_execution.launch sim:=true pipeline:=ompl
2. Use the moveit Motion Planning rviz plugin to plan and execute (see e.g. ROS-I training exercise 3.4)

Running on the real robot

1. Bringup can: sudo ip link set can0 up type can bitrate 1000000 (after every reboot or reconnect of the CAN hardware). For persistent configuration append the following to the file /etc/network/interfaces

auto can0
iface can0 can static
        bitrate 1000000

2. Run roslaunch prbt_moveit_config moveit_planning_execution.launch sim:=false pipeline:=ompl
3. Use the moveit Motion Planning rviz plugin to plan and execute (see simulation section; set Velocity Scaling to 0.1 first)

Instead of OMPL use the motion planners of Pilz for executing industrial robot commands like PTP, LIN, etc. For this install the package pilz_trajectory_generation:

• sudo apt-get install ros-kinetic-pilz-trajectory-generation

then replace the pipeline in the above command by pipeline:=command_planner.

Running the prbt with a gripper

Currently only the Schunk pg70 is supported. To run it, first install the package:

• sudo apt-get install ros-kinetic-prbt-pg70-support

then start the robot like before but with the gripper:=pg70 set. Both simulation and real robot work.

Package: prbt_ikfast_manipulator_plugin

The package contains a moveit plugin for inverse kinematics of the manipulator, which is a wrapper of ikfast.cpp to the kinematics base interface of moveit.

Package: pilz_control

Contains a specialized version of ros_controllers::JointTrajectoryController which can be put into a holding mode. A controlled stop using a hold trajectory is performed thus stopping the manipulator without the mechanical stress of a hard brake.

Package: prbt_hardware_support

This package provides support for the Pilz hardware PNOZmulti and realizes the Stop1 functionality. A configurable modbus connection is set up via roslaunch prbt_hardware_support modbus_read_client.launch.

Package: prbt_gazebo

Provides a launch file to run the prbt manipulator inside gazebo.

You need further information?

Our international hotline staff will support you individually about our ROS packages at ros@pilz.de

Find more information about the Pilz manipulator module on the product website.

Visit us at pilz.com

Pilz is an international-scale, innovative automation technology company. Pilz uses its solutions to create safety for man, machine and the environment. In addition to head office in Ostfildern near Stuttgart, the family business is represented over 2,400 employees at 42 subsidiaries and branches on all continents.

The company’s products include sensor technology, electronic monitoring relays, safety relays, configurable and programmable control systems, automation solutions with motion control, systems for industrial communication as well as visualization solutions and operator terminals.

Pilz solutions can be used in all areas of mechanical engineering, including the packaging and automotive sector, plus the railway technology, press and wind energy sectors. These solutions ensure that baggage handling systems run safely at airports and funiculars or roller coasters travel safely; they also guarantee fire protection and energy supply in buildings.