Release Notes for RobotStudio 2023.2

General

The release name is RobotStudio 2023.2 and the build number is 23.2.10395.0. The build date is June 26, 2023.

New Functionality

Clean uninstall option

Added an option in the uninstall wizard for removing user settings, license storage and installed packages including RobotWare distributions. RobotStudio projects and other user documents are not affected.


To access this option, Modify must be selected in Settings - Apps & features since Uninstall does not show a user interface.


Collision Free Path support for IRB 14050 Single-arm YuMi

It is now possible to create collision free paths with IRB 14050.

Controller documentation moved to the RobotWare distribution

Documentation for IRC5 and OmniCore controller software has been moved from the RobotStudio distribution to the RobotWare distribution.
To obtain the documentation, either
  • Install RobotWare 7.12 or later (for OmniCore) or 6.15.03 or later (for IRC5), or
  • Install a standalone "RobotWare Documentation" package from the Add-Ins tab.


Please note that the documentation is required for extended context sensitive help in the RAPID editor.

CRB 15000 GoFa™ 10 kg and 12 kg

CRB 15000 GoFa™ 10 kg and 12 kg variants have been added to ABB Library. They are supported from RobotWare 7.10.

Duplicate components and targets

A new "Duplicate..." command can now be found in the context menu of parts, component groups, mechanisms, conveyors, frames and targets. It can be used to create copies of the selected object(s) along a line or circle.

Export project viewer to RobotStudio Cloud

It is now possible to export a 3D project viewer to RobotStudio Cloud, with or without a recorded simulation. The viewer can be shared by generating a link. Alternatively, the viewer can be saved as a file to the local PC.


The command "Export Viewer" is available from the Simulation tab (for recording a simulation) and from File - Share (for a static viewer). 



The "RobotStudio Cloud" option is only available if the project is a Cloud project and the user is signed in.
If "This PC" is selected, the file can be saved as glTF (.glb) or a Station Viewer (.exe or .rsstnv).



When recording a simulation the user can confirm that the simulation was successful before the viewer is created.



If "Create link to share file" is selected, the resulting link can be copied to the clipboard or sent in an email.



Project viewers and other attachments can be managed in the "Attachments" view in the RobotStudio Cloud web app.

Group and ungroup components

Added a "Group" command for grouping multiple graphic components (Part, Smart Component etc) with a single click. When the command is executed, all selected components will be moved into a new Component Group.
Correspondingly, an "Ungroup" command is available to move all components out of a Component Group and delete it.



Highlight Collision Geometry

A new feature has been added that allows you to select a component by simply clicking on its Collision Geometry in the graphics. Additionally, an outline will be displayed around the Collision Geometry for all selected components, including the component itself in order to make it easier to identify if a higher level of detail is required for the selected component.

IRB 1090

The IRB 1090 robot model has been added.

IRB 67x0

The IRB 6710, IRB 6720, IRB 6730 and IRB 6740 robot models have been added to ABB Library. They are supported from RobotWare 7.10.

IRB 920 IP54

IRB 920 IP54 variants have been added to ABB Library. They are supported from RobotWare 7.10.

IRB 930

The IRB 930 has been added to ABB Library. It is supported from RobotWare 7.10.

Keyboard shortcut for move and rotate

When the 3D view is active, freehand move can be activated by pressing the "m" key, and freehand rotate can be activated with the "r" key. These can be customized in the usual way.

Keyboard shortcuts and menu items for RAPID Comment/Uncomment

Added keyboard shortcuts for Comment (Ctrl+Q) and Uncomment (Ctrl+Shift+Q) in the RAPID editor. The commands are also added to the right-click menu.


Length property on LineSensor Smart Component

The LineSensor Smart Component now has a Length property which is automatically updated to reflect the distance between the sensor start and end points. The Length property can be used to adjust the length of the sensor after the direction has been specified with the start and end points. When the Length property is changed the end point is updated accordingly along the direction of the sensor.

New documentation user interface

The user interface for RobotWare and Add-Ins documentation under File - Help has been updated.
Each category has its own page, and it is possible to select the version for which you want to view documentation.




Quick command for hide/show

Added a default keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+D) for the "Visible" command to show or hide objects in the Graphics view.
Also changed the behavior so objects are not deselected when hidden, which makes it easier to toggle the state. Instead, selected and hidden objects are displayed as semitransparent.



Rename virtual controller

It is now possible to rename virtual controllers in the station.

The controller name can be changed both from the Controller tab and from the Paths&Targets browser in the Home tab.

Replace robot

A robot in the station can now be replaced by another robot model by right-clicking on the robot in the Layout browser and selecting Replace Robot. The controller data such as RAPID modules, motion and signal configuration are kept.

Search for objects in Layout and Paths&Targets

Added a Search field in the Layout browser and Paths&Targets browser for finding objects in the station by name.
When typing in the field, the tree view is filtered and all matching objects are highlighted.
All matching objects can be selected by clicking the  button. When erasing the text or clicking the  button, the tree view is restored to its previous state.







See expression when minimizing IF/FOR/WHILE statements

The first line of IF/FOR/WHILE statements are now shown when minimizing the code block.
Before:

 
After:

Signal Analyzer: Linear Acceleration In World

A new signal has been added to signal analyzer. Linear Acceleration In World provides a live signal of TCP linear acceleration in the world coordinate system.

Simplify freehand modes

The freehand modes "Jog Linear" and "Jog Reorient" have been removed and the functionality integrated into the "Move" and "Rotate" modes.
To move or reorient the TCP of a robot, enable "Move" or "Rotate" and select the attached tool or a robot link except the base.
Also, it is now possible to jog the axis of a positioner by enabling "Jog Joint" and selecting an attached workpiece.

Tag support in LineSensor Smart Component

It is now possible to select a Tag in the LineSensor Smart Component. If a tag is specified, the sensor will only detect objects with that tag.

Tag support in PlaneSensor Smart Component

It is now possible to select a Tag in the PlaneSensor Smart Component. If a tag is specified, the sensor will only detect objects with that tag.

Visual refresh

The application icons and theme colors have been updated. The new icons are also available in more sizes which will improve the appearance on high resolution displays.

VR: Select object before moving

The "Auto" constraint in VR has been replaced by a "Use Gizmo" command. With this enabled, it is possible to select an object with the trigger, which will display a translational and rotational gizmo at the object's local origin. The gizmo will remain visible until the user deselects the object by clicking somewhere in space. By dragging an axis with the trigger button on the right hand controller the user can move/rotate the object along the selected axis.

Improvements

Copy tags in Source Smart Component

The Source Smart Component now copies all tags from the source object to the copies.

Faster Collision Free Path generation

The collision free path planner has been updated and will now generate shorter paths in average, with reduced path generation time. It will also find paths in some scenarios where it previously timed out.

Graphics Statistics improvements

The Graphics Statistics window found in Home / Graphics Tools / Statistics has received a couple of improvements.
  • A new column with "Approximate Size" has been added, which shows the diagonal length of the bounding box of the part. Sorting on this column makes it easy to find and remove small parts like screws.
  • The selection in the Graphics Statistics window is now synchronized with the rest of the application.
  • The same context menu as in the Layout browser now appears when right-clicking a part in the Graphics Statistics window.
  • The window now opens as docked by default and is non-modal, which means that you can have it open while working in other parts of the application.
  • Icons have been added to the parts in the list and the summary has been moved from inside the parts list to the top of the window. 


Move multiple objects at once

It is now possible to move multiple selected objects when using the freehand move mode.

Rotate multiple objects at once

It is now possible to rotate multiple selected objects when using the freehand rotate mode.
It is now possible to select a component from the 3D view, or the layout browser, when creating a mechanism link.

Selecting axis direction using edges when creating mechanisms

When creating a joint in the Create Mechanism window, it is now possible to select the direction of the joint axis by clicking on an edge in the 3D graphics view while the Axis Direction control has focus. A preview of the chosen direction will appear as you move your mouse cursor within the graphics view. Additionally, a button for reversing the axis direction has been introduced. This feature can also be found in other areas where specifying a direction is required.

Information

RobotWare 5.x support removed from Controller From Layout

Virtual Controller From Layout no longer supports RobotWare 5.x. Use System Builder to create a Virtual Controller for RobotWare 5.x.

Corrections

PDD
15256Change messages to more informative while writing configuration to controller

Now if user tries to write configuration and something go wrong, the message will inform correctly about the problem that occurred.
Rapid Data Editor was not properly updated when targets where deleted

When a target was deleted from the Rapid Data Editor, the target didn't disappear from the editor. When the Rapid Data Editor than was closed and reopened, the editor was blank. This is now fixed.
Unpack & Work RobotWare selection

Fixed an issue where the RobotControl version would be used to select the closest RobotWare version to the original version that was used when creating the Pack and Go.
Improved messaging when closing RobotStudio with unsaved changes

Previously, the same message would be displayed regardless of whether the user had unsaved changes in a project or a station. Now, If the user has unsaved changes in a project, the message will read: "You have a project with unsaved changes. Do you want to save the project?" If the user has unsaved changes in a station, the message will remain as before: "You have unsaved changes in your station. Do you want to save the station?
Exception when setting "min dist" to a value with decimals in Conveyor systems

Before it was not possible to set the Conveyor systems "min dist" to a decimal value via the Controller tab, Configuration -> Process. This is now fixed.
RobotStudio Outputs an error message concerning RobotWare 6 when using RobotWare 7.

If a RobotWare 6 controller is connected to RobotStudio and the user connects a RobotWare 7 controller, RobotStudio will output a message that the configuration file is too old. This is wrong and is now fixed.
Crash when rotating a station with a large area

Before RobotStudio crashed if the user had a station with a large area, clicked View all and then rotated the station. This is now fixed.
Visual SafeMove accepts the same signal for activation and status or Violation action

Now a Functions in an Supervision can't have the same signal as another function in the same Supervision.
Smart component state now properly reverted upon undo or reset simulation

Fixed an issue where the undo and reset simulation functions did not revert the state of smart components after a simulation, causing inconvenience in manually reverting some signals. The fix ensures that the both these functions reverts both graphical objects and smart component states.
Markup text is static in Station Viewer

Added support for Markups with changing text when exporting a simulation to a Station Viewer (.exe or .rsstnv format).
IRBT x004 corrections

The models for track motion IRB 4004, 6004 and 7004 have been corrected.
Mechanism doesn't expand when clicking any of its links in the 3d view

Now the mechanism will expand and show it's links when clicking on any of the links in the 3d view.
Cable simulation in viewer

Fixed visual defects in physics cable simulation when replayed in a Station Viewer. The stored numeric precision was inadequate for cables placed far away from the station's origin.
Jog linear/reorient without selection

If Jog Linear/Reorient was used with a tool selected, the jog arrows did not disappear as when clearing the selection. The jog arrows are now removed when the tool is deselected.
RobotStudio Signal Analyzer Online doesn't stop

Fixed so the Signal Analyzer Online stops when the connection to the controller is lost.
Incorrect simulation in glTF export

Corrected issues regarding visibility of objects when exporting a simulation to glTF.