Import complete Digital Twin models including kinematization based on URDF

[OliverSteddin]

Ever heard of URDF?

URDF – Unified Robot Description Format – is an XML-based description format for complete robots. It can be used for other kinematic models as well.

It describes the kinematic chain comprised of links which are connected by joints. Links represent the rigid bodies and include visual and collision descriptions. Both can be built out of standard shapes as boxes, spheres, cylinders or by 3D meshes based on referenced CAD files. Joints describe the relation between two links. A joint connects a parent link (closer to the robot base) and a child link (closer to the tool). And it describes the movement axis out of the six degrees of freedom – three translation axes and three rotation axes – that are applied to the joint. 

The video shows how the URDF import feature in EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin works. And the use of the imported robot right away by letting it move accordingly. Easy, fast, and clear, don’t you think so?

We would be delighted to hear your views on the potential impact of digital twin technology on your daily work! Comment below ⬇️