JP5319316B2 - Arc welding robot system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an arc welding robot system in which welding control software for controlling an arc welding power source is easily rewritten using a portable operation device. <P>SOLUTION: The arc welding power source WP has a storage means 23 stored with a plurality of pieces of installable welding control software P1-Pn and identification information ID for identifying them, the portable operation device TP displays the identification information ID and selects one of them, and a robot controller RC notifies the arc welding power source WP of the selected identification information ID. Thus, the arc welding power source WP selects the welding control software corresponding to the notified identification information ID from the storage means 23 and installs it in itself. When it is needed to rewrite the welding control software of the arc welding power source WP to special software, the need of time, labor and work of preparing an apparatus for rewrite such as a ROM writer is eliminated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an arc welding robot that performs arc welding processing on an object to be welded.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an arc welding robot system that performs arc welding processing on an object to be welded by combining an arc welding power source, an articulated manipulator, and a robot control device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this arc welding robot system, welding conditions are set in advance using a portable operating device connected to the robot controller, and a welding command signal corresponding to the welding conditions is output to the arc welding power source. Controls the output of the welding power and performs arc welding on the workpiece. The arc welding power source and the robot control device are preinstalled with control software for performing welding control and controlling the operation of the articulated manipulator, and various functions are executed according to the logic of the control software.

  By the way, in the welding control software installed in the arc welding power source, there are standard software that enables execution of standard welding control and special software that enables execution of special welding control. Special welding control means current waveform control for different materials not supported by standard software. These are for meeting user needs. Note that software that can meet user needs by partially changing the standard software or expanding its functions is sometimes called optional software. However, in the following, it is standardized to special software, unless it is necessary to distinguish it. It describes as.

  Conventionally, a user who requests the special software has been provided with a rewritten welding control software of an arc welding power source. That is, the arc welding power source produced with the standard software installed is rewritten to special software using a rewriting device such as a personal computer or a ROM writer before shipment. If rewriting is performed, special software is read into the main memory when the arc welding power source is activated, and various functions are executed in accordance with the control logic of the special software.

  FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram when rewriting the welding control software in the arc welding power source in the conventional arc welding robot system.

  The robot R automatically performs arc welding on the workpiece W, and includes a plurality of arm portions and a wrist portion, and a plurality of servo motors (none of which are shown) for rotationally driving them. ing. The welding torch T is attached to the tip portion of the upper arm of the robot R, and guides a welding wire having a diameter of about 1 mm wound around a wire reel (not shown) to the weld line taught by the workpiece W. Is.

  The portable operating device TP is for setting the welding conditions (welding current value, welding voltage value, welding speed), etc. necessary for performing the operation of the robot R and arc welding as teaching data. And a keyboard for inputting teaching data and the like (none of which are shown). Using this portable operating device TP, the worker creates a work program in which the welding conditions are set together with the operation of the robot R.

  The robot control device RC is for causing the robot R to control the welding operation, and includes a main control unit, an operation control unit, a servo driver (all not shown), and the like. Then, based on a work program taught by the operator using the portable operation device TP, an operation control signal is output from the servo driver to each servo motor of the robot R, and a plurality of axes of the robot R are rotated.

  The arc welding power source WP supplies a welding voltage between the welding torch T and the workpiece W, and includes a rewritable internal memory Im for storing welding control software therein.

  The above shows the configuration of a general arc welding robot system. However, when rewriting the welding control software of the arc welding power supply WP, a rewriting device P, a cable C, and a memory card M as a storage medium described below are further included. I need.

  The rewriting device P is generally a personal computer, a ROM writer or the like, and is connected to a predetermined connector of the arc welding power source WP by a dedicated cable C. The memory card M stores welding control software for writing to the internal memory Im of the arc welding power source WP. Then, when the operator inserts the memory card M into the rewriting device P and operates the rewriting device P, the welding control software stored in the memory card M is transferred to the internal memory Im, and the welding control of the internal memory Im is performed. The software is rewritten. The rewritten welding control software is read into a main memory (not shown) in the arc welding power supply WP when the arc welding power supply WP is activated, and various functions are executed by a CPU (not shown) according to the control logic. become.

JP 2001-259839 A

  As mentioned above, for users who require special software, it is necessary to rewrite the welding control software of the arc welding power supply with special software, so a personal computer, a ROM writer, etc. are prepared at the time of shipment. The work man-hours to rewrite the welding control software by connecting to the arc welding power source are required.

  In addition, if it is necessary to replace the arc welding power source with special software installed after it has been shipped, the arc welding power source that is in stock or newly purchased by the user may be installed with standard software in some cases. May need to be rewritten with special software. In this case also, work man-hours for rewriting are required. Furthermore, since it is necessary to use a personal computer, a ROM writer or the like for the rewriting work, it is not at a level that can be easily executed by the user. For this reason, every time the arc welding power source is replaced, there is also a problem that a service person designated by the manufacturer has to be called.

  Therefore, the present invention makes it easy to use welding control software for controlling the arc welding power source, or optional software for partially changing or extending the welding control software, using a portable operation device connected to the robot controller. The purpose is to provide an arc welding robot system that can be rewritten.

In order to achieve the above object, the first invention provides:
In an arc welding robot system for performing arc welding on a workpiece by controlling the output of welding power in accordance with welding control software installed in advance in the arc welding power source,
A plurality of the welding control software that can be installed in the arc welding power source and storage means for storing identification information for identifying them;
A portable operating device for displaying the identification information and for selecting any one of them;
A robot control device that provides an installation instruction signal of the welding control software to the arc welding power source according to the identification information selected by the portable operating device;
The storage means is provided in any of the arc welding power source, the portable operation device or the robot control device,
The welding control software includes optional software for partially changing or extending the control logic, and the identification information is optional setting information for identifying whether or not the optional software can be used,
The arc welding power supply is an arc welding robot system characterized in that the optional software is set to be usable or unusable in accordance with the installation instruction signal .

  In a second aspect of the invention, when the storage means is provided in the arc welding power source, the robot control device notifies the identification information to the arc welding power source, and the arc welding power source is notified of the identification information. The arc welding robot system according to the first aspect, wherein the welding control software corresponding to is selected from the storage means and installed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the storage means is provided in the portable operating device or the robot control device, the robot control device reads out the welding control software corresponding to the identification information from the storage means. It is transferred to the arc welding power source, and the arc welding power source installs the transferred welding control software.

  4th invention is further equipped with the server apparatus connected via the network means, The said robot control apparatus acquires the said welding control software and the said identification information which can be installed in the said arc welding power supply from the said server apparatus, The arc welding robot system according to a third aspect of the present invention is stored in the storage means.

  A fifth invention is the arc welding robot system according to the third or fourth invention, wherein the storage means is a detachable nonvolatile storage medium.

According to the first invention, a plurality of welding control software that can be installed in the arc welding power source is stored in the storage unit of the arc welding power source, the robot control device, or the portable operation device together with the identification information, The desired welding control software is installed in the arc welding power source simply by using a portable operating device. Thus, the welding control software can be installed in the arc welding power source with a general configuration and simple operation as an arc welding robot system. In other words, when the arc welding robot system is shipped, or when the arc welding power source is replaced due to a failure after shipment, etc., the trouble of preparing a rewriting device such as a personal computer or a ROM writer and complicated work using these are unnecessary. As a result, the number of work steps can be significantly reduced. In particular, the option software of the arc welding power source is set to be usable or unusable simply by setting the availability of the option software for partially changing or expanding the welding control software using the portable operation device. I am doing so. That is, with the general configuration and simple operation of the arc welding robot system, not only the installation of the welding control software but also the optional software of the arc welding power source can be set to be usable or unusable.

  According to the second invention, when the storage means is provided in the arc welding power source, the robot control device notifies the arc welding power source of the identification information, and the arc welding power source corresponds to the notified identification information. The control software is selected and installed from its own storage means. As a result, in addition to the effects exhibited by the first invention, it is possible to reduce the transfer time of the welding control software that has conventionally been required when using a rewriting device such as a personal computer or a ROM writer.

  According to the third invention, when the storage means is provided in the robot control apparatus, the robot control apparatus reads out the welding control software corresponding to the identification information from its storage means and transfers it to the arc welding power source. I have to. Generally, the storage means provided in the arc welding power source has a small capacity, and the storage means provided in the robot control apparatus has a large capacity. This is due to the size of the data size of each control software and the size of setting data to be stored. If all the welding control software is stored in the storage means of the arc welding power source, the capacity may become insufficient when the number of types of welding control software increases. In this case, the capacity of the storage means is large. There is a possibility that it will lead to cost increase because it must be changed to a thing. By storing a plurality of welding control software that can be installed in the arc welding power source in the robot controller having a relatively large capacity, in addition to the effect of the first invention, the capacity of the storage means of the arc welding power source is required. It can be minimized. It is further preferable that the storage means is provided in the portable operation device. For example, in a production line that employs multiple robot controllers and fewer wireless portable operating devices than this number, one portable operating device is connected to multiple robot controllers sequentially in a wireless manner. In addition, the welding control software can be installed in the arc welding power source connected to the robot control device. That is, since it is not necessary to store the welding control software in the storage means of all the robot control devices, in addition to the effect exhibited by the first invention, the storage area of the robot control device can be effectively used.

  According to the fourth invention, a plurality of welding control software that can be installed in the arc welding power source is acquired from the server device via the network means, and is stored in the storage means of the robot control device or the portable operation device. Yes. If the latest welding control software is always stored in the server device, the latest welding control software can always be installed in the arc welding power source in addition to the effects of the second or third invention.

  According to the fifth invention, the storage means in the third or fourth invention is a detachable storage medium that is attached only when installation is necessary. If the welding control software is always stored in the storage means provided in the robot control device, the portable operation device or the arc welding power source, the welding control software may be overwritten by an unintended operation by the user. There is. Therefore, it is desirable that the welding control software is managed by a maintenance person who is particularly familiar with the operation and knowledge of the robot among the users. That is, by providing the above configuration, in addition to the effects exhibited by the third or fourth invention, it is possible to reduce the risk of being overwritten with undesired welding control software by an inadvertent operation.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an arc welding robot system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart when installing the welding control software in the arc welding robot system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an arc welding robot system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart when installing the welding control software in the arc welding robot system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an arc welding robot system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart when installing the welding control software in the arc welding robot system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram when the welding control software in the arc welding power source is rewritten in the conventional arc welding robot system.

[Embodiment 1]
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an arc welding robot system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Hereinafter, a difference from FIG. 7 shown as the prior art will be described.

  The arc welding power source WP is for controlling the output of welding power when performing arc welding processing, and the main memory into which the CPU 21 as a central processing unit and the welding control software for controlling the arc welding power source WP are read. 22 is provided. The hard disk 23 as a storage means includes a software storage area 24 and a data storage area 25. In the software storage area 24, a plurality of welding control software P1 to Pn that can be installed in the arc welding power source WP are stored in advance. In the data storage area 25, identification information ID for identifying a plurality of welding control software P1 to Pn is stored in advance. As will be described in detail later, any one of the welding control software P1 to Pn selected is read into the main memory 22, and various functions can be executed by the CPU 21. Although not shown, basic software other than the welding control software P1 to Pn is always read into the main memory 22, and installation which will be described later is performed by this basic software.

  The portable operating device TP is mainly for setting the welding conditions and the like necessary for performing the operation of the robot R and arc welding as teaching data, and includes a liquid crystal display as display means and a keyboard as input means. It has. The portable operation device TP configured as described above displays the identification information ID stored in the hard disk 23 of the arc welding power source WP on the liquid crystal display by a predetermined operation by the worker. In addition, any one identification information ID can be selected by the keyboard.

  The robot controller RC is communicably connected to the arc welding power source WP and the portable operation device TP described above, and includes a central processing unit CPU 11, a main memory 12 into which robot control software is read, and a hard disk 13. Yes. The hard disk 13 includes a software storage area 14 and a data storage area 15, and the software storage area 14 stores robot control software for controlling the robot control device in advance. The data storage area 15 stores teaching data input by the portable operation device TP, various setting data, and the like. The robot control device RC configured as described above reads out the identification information ID of the arc welding power source WP and displays it on the portable operation device TP, and further displays the identification information ID selected by the portable operation device TP by arc welding. Notify the power supply WP.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the entire arc welding robot system when the welding control software is installed. The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S101, when the operator starts the installation operation of the welding control software using the portable operation device TP, a message to that effect is transmitted to the robot control device RC. In step S102, the robot controller RC requests the arc welding power source WP to transmit the identification information ID. In step S103, the arc welding power source WP reads the identification information ID from the hard disk 23 and returns it to the robot controller RC. In step S104, the robot control device RC requests the portable operation device TP to display the identification information ID. In step S105, the portable operating device TP displays the identification information ID. In step S106, any identification information ID is selected. In step S107, the robot controller RC gives an installation instruction signal to the arc welding power source WP. That is, in the case of this embodiment, the selected identification information ID is notified to the arc welding power source WP. In step S108, the arc welding power source WP selects the welding control software corresponding to the notified identification information ID from the hard disk 23 and installs it on itself. That is, it is read into the main memory 22. In step S109, the arc welding power source WP transmits a message indicating that the installation is complete to the robot controller RC. In step S11O, the robot controller RC requests the portable operating device TP to display that installation is complete. In step S111, the portable operating device TP displays that the installation is complete.

  As described above, the arc welding power source WP selects any one of the welding control software P1 to Pn corresponding to the identification information ID selected by the portable operating device TP from the hard disk 23 which is a storage means and installs it on itself. To do.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of welding control softwares P1 to Pn that can be installed in the arc welding power source WP are stored in the hard disk 23 that is a storage unit in the arc welding power source WP together with the identification information ID. The desired welding control software is installed in the arc welding power source WP simply by storing it and selecting it using the portable operating device TP. Thus, the welding control software can be installed in the arc welding power source WP with only a general configuration and simple operation as an arc welding robot system. In other words, when the arc welding robot system is shipped, or when the arc welding power source is replaced due to a failure after shipment, etc., the trouble of preparing a rewriting device such as a personal computer or a ROM writer and complicated work using these are unnecessary. As a result, the number of work steps can be significantly reduced.

  The robot controller notifies the arc welding power source of the identification information, and the arc welding power source selects and installs the welding control software corresponding to the notified identification information from its own storage means. As a result, in addition to the above effects, it is possible to reduce the transfer time of the welding control software, which has been conventionally required when using a rewriting device such as a personal computer or a ROM writer.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an arc welding robot system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  In the figure, as in the first embodiment, the arc welding power source WP includes a CPU 21 that is a central processing unit, a main memory 22 into which welding control software for controlling the arc welding power source WP is read, and a hard disk as storage means. 23. The software storage area 24 of the hard disk 23 stores welding control software that is read and executed by the main memory 22 of the arc welding power source WP, and the data storage area 25 stores control parameters of the arc welding power source WP. ing. Here, the welding control software stored in the software storage area 24 is an arc welding power source selected from among the welding control software P1 to Pn stored in the external storage device 16 of the robot controller RC described later. It has been transferred to the WP hard disk 23. The transferred welding control software is read into the main memory 22, and various functions can be executed by the CPU 21. Although not shown, basic software other than the welding control software is always read into the main memory 22, and installation described later is performed by this basic software.

  The robot control device RC is communicably connected to the arc welding power source WP and the portable operation device TP described later. This is also the central processing unit CPU11, robot control software, as in the first embodiment. Are read from the main memory 12 and the hard disk 13. The hard disk 13 includes a software storage area 14 and a data storage area 15, and the software storage area 14 stores robot control software for controlling the robot controller. The data storage area 15 stores teaching data, various setting data, and the like. The external storage device 16 as a storage unit is a device to which a storage medium such as a memory card can be attached and detached. The external storage device 16 stores a plurality of welding control software P1 to Pn that can be installed in the arc welding power source WP, and identification information ID for identifying them. The robot control device RC configured as described above displays the identification information ID on the portable operation device TP, and transfers the welding control software corresponding to the identification information ID selected by the operator to the arc welding power source WP. In addition, you may comprise so that several welding control software P1-Pn and identification information ID may be memorize | stored in the hard disk 13 instead of the external storage device 16. FIG.

  As in the first embodiment, the portable operating device TP is mainly used to set the welding conditions necessary for performing the operation of the robot R and arc welding as teaching data, and a liquid crystal as display means. A display and a keyboard as input means are provided. The portable operation device TP configured in this manner displays the identification information ID stored in the external storage device 16 of the robot control device RC on the liquid crystal display by a predetermined operation by the worker. In addition, any one identification information ID can be selected by the keyboard.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the entire arc welding robot system when the welding control software is installed. The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S201, when the operator starts the installation operation of the welding control software using the portable operation device TP, the fact is transmitted to the robot control device RC. In step S202, the robot controller RC reads the identification information ID, and further requests the portable operating device TP to display the identification information ID in step S203. In step S204, the portable operating device TP displays the identification information ID. In step S205, any identification information ID is selected. In step S206, the robot controller RC gives an installation instruction signal to the arc welding power source WP. That is, in the case of this embodiment, the welding control software corresponding to the selected identification information ID is transferred to the arc welding power source WP. In step S207, the arc welding power source WP installs the transferred welding control software in itself. That is, it is read into the main memory 22. In step S208, the arc welding power source WP transmits a message indicating that the installation is complete to the robot controller RC. In step S209, the robot controller RC requests the portable operating device TP to display that installation is complete. In step S210, the portable operating device TP displays that the installation is complete.

  As described above, the robot control device RC transfers any of the welding control software P1 to Pn corresponding to the identification information ID selected by the portable operation device TP to the arc welding power source WP, and the arc welding power source WP transfers it. Installed welding control software on itself.

  As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of welding control software P1 to Pn that can be installed in the arc welding power source WP, together with the identification information ID, are external storage devices that are storage means in the robot controller. 16 or the hard disk 13 and the desired welding control software is installed in the arc welding power source WP simply by selecting using the portable operating device TP. In general, the storage means provided in the arc welding power source WP has a small capacity, and the storage means provided in the robot controller RC has a large capacity. This is due to the size of the data size of each control software and the size of setting data to be stored. If all the welding control software is stored in the storage means of the arc welding power source WP as shown in the first embodiment, the capacity may become insufficient when the number of types of welding control software increases. In this case, the capacity of the storage means must be changed to a large one, which may lead to an increase in cost. By storing a plurality of welding control software that can be installed in the arc welding power supply WP in the robot controller RC having a relatively large capacity, the capacity of the storage means of the arc welding power supply WP can be minimized. Become.

  In the present embodiment, the storage means is a detachable storage medium that is attached only when installation is necessary. If the welding control software is always stored in the storage means provided in the robot controller RC, there is a possibility that the welding control software may be rewritten to an undesired welding control software due to a user's careless operation. Therefore, it is desirable that the welding control software is managed by a maintenance person who is familiar with the operation and knowledge of the robot among the users. That is, by providing the above configuration, in addition to the above effects, it is possible to reduce a risk that the welding control software may be rewritten to an undesired operation due to careless operation. Further, it is better to provide the storage means in the portable operation device TP. For example, in a production line that employs a plurality of robot control devices RC and fewer wireless portable operation devices TP than this number, one portable operation device TP is connected to a plurality of robot control devices RC. It is possible to install the welding control software to the arc welding power source WP connected to the robot control device RC after being sequentially connected wirelessly. That is, since it is not necessary to store the welding control software in the storage means of all the robot control devices RC, in addition to the above effects, the storage area of the robot control device can be used effectively.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of welding control software P1 to Pn and identification information ID that can be installed in the arc welding power source WP are stored in the robot controller RC, but instead, in the portable operating device TP. You may comprise so that it may memorize | store in the memory | storage means of the provided hard disk, a memory card, etc. (all are not shown).

  By configuring in this way, for example, in a production line that employs a plurality of robot control devices RC and a less number of wireless portable operation devices TP, one portable operation is possible. It is possible to install welding control software on the arc welding power source WP connected to the robot control device RC after the device TP is sequentially connected to the plurality of robot control devices RC in a wireless manner. That is, since it is not necessary to store the welding control software in the storage means of all the robot control devices RC, in addition to the above effects, the storage area of the robot control device RC can be used effectively.

Further, the server device 18 and the network unit 17 may be provided so that the robot control device RC is connected to the server device 18 via the network unit 17. In this case, the welding control software P1 to Pn and the identification information ID that can be installed in the arc welding power source WP are preferably acquired from the server device 18 and stored in a storage unit such as the external storage device 16. With this configuration, if the latest welding control software is always stored in the server device 18, in addition to the above effects, the latest welding control software can always be installed in the arc welding power source WP.
[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an arc welding robot system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  In the same figure, the arc welding power source WP is provided with a CPU 21 as a central processing unit and a main memory 22 into which welding control software for controlling the arc welding power source WP is read, as in the first and second embodiments. . The hard disk 23 as a storage means includes a software storage area 24 and a data storage area 25. The software storage area 24 stores optional software Q1 to Qn for partially changing or extending the welding control software installed in the arc welding power source WP. The data storage area 25 stores option setting information JD for identifying the availability of the option software Q1 to Qn.

  The portable operation device TP includes a liquid crystal display as a display unit and a keyboard as an input unit, as in the first and second embodiments. The portable operating device TP configured as described above displays the option setting information JD stored in the hard disk 23 of the arc welding power source WP on the liquid crystal display by a predetermined operation by the operator. In addition, it is possible to set whether or not the optional software can be used with a keyboard.

  As in the first and second embodiments, the robot controller RC is communicably connected to the arc welding power source WP and the portable operation device TP, and the central processing unit CPU 11 and robot control software are read. Main memory 12 and hard disk 13. The hard disk 13 includes a software storage area 14 and a data storage area 15, and the software storage area 14 stores robot control software for controlling the robot controller. The data storage area 15 stores teaching data, various setting data, and the like. The robot control device RC configured as described above reads the option setting information JD of the arc welding power source WP and displays it on the portable operating device TP, and further displays the option setting information JD set by the portable operating device TP. Notify the arc welding power source WP.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the entire arc welding robot system when the welding control software is installed. The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S301, when the operator starts an option software setting operation using the portable operation device TP, the fact is transmitted to the robot control device RC. In step S302, the robot controller RC requests the arc welding power source WP to transmit option setting information JD. In step S303, the arc welding power source WP reads the option setting information JD from the hard disk 23 and returns it to the robot controller RC. In step S304, the robot controller RC requests the portable operation device TP to display option setting information JD. In step S305, the portable operating device TP displays option setting information JD. In step S306, option setting information JD is set. That is, whether to use optional software is set. In step S307, the robot controller RC notifies the set option setting information JD to the arc welding power source WP. In step S308, the arc welding power source WP sets the option software in a usable or unusable state based on the notified option setting information JD. In step S309, the arc welding power source WP transmits to the robot controller RC that the setting has been completed. In step S31O, the robot controller RC requests the portable operating device TP to display that the setting has been completed. In step S311, the portable operating device TP displays that the setting has been completed.

  As described above, the arc welding power source WP selects any one of the welding control software P1 to Pn corresponding to the identification information ID selected by the portable operating device TP from the hard disk 23 which is a storage means and installs it on itself. To do.

  As described above, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the availability of the optional software for partially changing or expanding the welding control software is set by using the portable operating device TP, and the arc welding power source WP can be used. Optional software is set to be available or unavailable. That is, with the general configuration and simple operation of the arc welding robot system, not only the installation of the welding control software but also the optional software of the arc welding power source WP can be set to be usable or unusable.

C Cable ID Identification information Im Internal memory JD Option setting information M Memory card P Rewriting equipment P1-Pn Welding control software Q1-Qn Option software R Robot RC Robot controller T Welding torch TP Portable operating device W Work WP Arc welding power source 11 CPU
12 Main memory 13 Hard disk 14 Software storage area 15 Data storage area 16 External storage device 17 Network means 18 Server device 21 CPU
22 Main memory 23 Hard disk 24 Software storage area 25 Data storage area

Claims (5)

In an arc welding robot system for performing arc welding on a workpiece by controlling the output of welding power in accordance with welding control software installed in advance in the arc welding power source,
A plurality of the welding control software that can be installed in the arc welding power source and storage means for storing identification information for identifying them;
A portable operating device for displaying the identification information and for selecting any one of them;
A robot control device that provides an installation instruction signal of the welding control software to the arc welding power source according to the identification information selected by the portable operating device;
The storage means is provided in any of the arc welding power source, the portable operation device or the robot control device,
The welding control software includes optional software for partially changing or extending the control logic, and the identification information is optional setting information for identifying whether or not the optional software can be used,
The arc welding robot system is characterized in that the optional software is set to be usable or unusable in accordance with the installation instruction signal .   When the storage means is provided in the arc welding power source, the robot control device notifies the identification information to the arc welding power source, and the arc welding power source corresponds to the notified identification information. 2. The arc welding robot system according to claim 1, wherein software is selected from the storage means and installed.   When the storage means is provided in the portable operating device or the robot control device, the robot control device reads out the welding control software corresponding to the identification information from the storage means and transfers it to the arc welding power source. The arc welding robot system according to claim 1, wherein the arc welding power source installs the transferred welding control software.   The robot control device further includes a server device connected via network means, and the robot control device acquires the welding control software and the identification information that can be installed in the arc welding power source from the server device, and stores them in the storage means. The arc welding robot system according to claim 3.   The arc welding robot system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the storage means is a detachable nonvolatile storage medium.

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