MC-Basic:CIRCLE

The CIRCLE command issues a circular(arc) path trajectory for the specified group/robot, and uses the properties of that group.

The CIRCLE command has two formats. One specifies the group name, the angle and the circle center. This format enables multi-turn circular motion. The other is defined by a circle point and the final point of the arc.

The optional properties override the permanent values of the properties for the duration of the command. When using an optional property, the keyword must be specified.

For robot models the CIRCLE command issues a circular path in Cartesian space (XYZ). Orientation angles are interpolated proportionality to the circle angle.

For PUMA robots the orientation vector is kept orthogonal to the circular path.

Syntax

Circle <group> Angle = <angle> CircleCenter = {<vector>} {CirclePlane = <circle plane>} {Optional Nodal Property}*

Or

Circle <group> CirclePoint = <vector> TargetPoint = {<vector>}

{Optional Nodal Property}*

Availability

All versions

Type

Double

Range

<group>: An existing group
<angle>: ± MaxDouble

<circle plane>:

• 0 (XY)
• 1 (XZ)
• 2 (YZ)

<vector>: location or joint value

Default

Permanent property values are used unless specified otherwise. Final velocity is 0.

Scope

Task or Terminal

Limitations

• Applicable only to groups.
• A group cannot be moved if an axis from the group is being moved individually.
• A group must be attached in order to be moved from within a task.

Examples

Circle XYTable Angle = 90 CircleCenter = {20,10} Vcruise = 500

Circle XYtable CirclePoint = {10,20} TargetPoint = {100,200} Vcruise = 500

Helical

Here is a simple example for circle in 3D. The circle itself was defined at XY plane with additional movement in Z axis.
The code :
At the config file:

System.NumberAxes = 3
common shared Axes[3] as generic axis
common shared temp_grp  as group Axnm = a1 Axnm = a2  Axnm = a3 
common shared PLANE_XY as const long =0
common shared PLANE_XZ as const long =1
common shared PLANE_YZ as const long =2
Program
 Axes[1] = a1
 Axes[2] = a2
 Axes[3] = a3
 sys.DoubleFormat = 1
 sys.Name = "Helical"
 with temp_grp 
End Program

The setup stage:

dim shared pdl as long = 2
Program continue
 dim i as long = 1
  for i = 1 to 3
    attach Axes[i] 
     ' **** Setting Motion Parameters ****
     Axes[i].fmode = 0
     Axes[i].pemax = 10
     Axes[i].pfac = 2^16     
     Axes[i].vfac = Axes[i].pfac/1000/60
     Axes[i].afac = Axes[i].vfac/1000
     Axes[i].jfac = Axes[i].afac/1000
     Axes[i].VCruise = 1000
     Axes[i].vmax = 3000
     Axes[i].vospd = Axes[i].vmax * 1.2
     Axes[i].velocitysafetylimit = Axes[i].vmax * 1.5
     Axes[i].amax = 30000
     Axes[i].dmax = 30000
     Axes[i].jmax = 300000
     Axes[i].acc = Axes[i].amax
     Axes[i].dec = Axes[i].dmax
     Axes[i].jerk = Axes[i].jmax   
     Axes[i].simulated = ON      
   detach Axes[i]    
 next
 call SetGroup 
terminate Program

The used subroutine and fumction at setup:

sub SetGroup
attach
   en=0
   vord = 100
   Print ".... "; ElementName; " - kinematics/geometric setup"
   PeMax    = 1  ' follwing error in mm (envelope)
   smooth  = -1
   prftype = 1
   vfac    = 1/1000
   afac    = vfac/1000
   jfac    = afac/1000  
   vmax = max(j1.vmax,j2.vmax)
   amax = max(j1.amax,j2.amax)
   dmax = amax    
   decstop = 1.1*dmax
   jmax    = max(j1.jmax,j2.jmax)
   PositionErrorDelay    = pdl
   abs = 1  
   vcruise = 0.5 * Vmax
   acc = amax
   dec = dmax
   jmax = 10*amax
   jerk= jmax
   PositionErrorSettle = 0.1 ' 100um
   BlendingMethod = 0      
   configgroup    
   detach
end sub

function max(byval a as double, byval b as double ) as double
 if a > b then
   max = a
 else
   max = b
 end if
end function

And the actual program:

dim shared circle_center[8] as joint of XYZ
program
 dim index as long = 1
 attach
   ?VesExecute(" sys.Motion= ON")
   call InitBuffer
    abs = 1
    en =1     
    move {0 , 0 , 0} vcruise = 100 acc= 3000
    move {25 , 0 , 0} vcruise =100  acc= 3000 
    call StillMoving     
    record test11.rec 100000 gap =1 recdata = pcmd{1} , pcmd{2}, pcmd{3}
    recordon 
       ' Start "helical"
      for index = 1 to 8   
       Circle  Angle = 180  CircleCenter = (circle_center[index]+ {0,0,index*5})   vcruise = 500 CirclePlane = PLANE_XY 
       call StillMoving
       print "Position" , pcmd , index
      next     
      sleep 10
   recordclose
 detach
end program 

The used subroutines:

sub StillMoving
 while ismoving <> 0
   sleep 1
 end while
end sub

sub InitBuffer
 dim index as long
 for index=1 to 8 step 2
   circle_center[index] = {0,0,0}
 next
 for index=2 to 8 step 2
   circle_center[index] = {12.5,0,0} 
 next
end sub

The results:

See Also

• group.CIRCLECENTER
• group.ANGLE
• group.CIRCLETYPE
• group.CIRCLEPOINT
• group.CIRCLEPLANE