In this video, we will walk through how to use parallel processing with a FANUC robot to improve efficiency and maintain continuous motion during operations. The focus is on understanding how multiple programs can run at the same time without interrupting critical robot movement, which is a key consideration in production environments where uptime and throughput matter.
We begin with a simple baseline program that drives a robot through a horizontal back and forth motion. This straightforward example sets the stage for introducing additional processes that would typically run alongside robot motion in a real application. From there, we introduce a secondary “blink” program designed to simulate an external device such as a status light, valve, or cylinder. This helps illustrate how auxiliary tasks can operate independently while still supporting the overall system.
As we move forward, we explore what happens when these programs are executed in sequence. By calling the blink program within the motion program, we see how the robot pauses its movement while the secondary task completes. This highlights a common inefficiency in automation workflows and sets up the need for a more optimized approach.
We then shift into configuring the system for parallel execution. We will go over how to modify program settings so the secondary task no longer ties into robot motion, and how to use the appropriate instructions to run programs concurrently. This approach allows the robot to continue moving while background tasks execute at the same time, improving overall cycle performance.
Requirements
- Basic familiarity with FANUC teach pendant programming
- Access to a FANUC robot controller or simulation environment
- Understanding of digital outputs and simple program structure
- Two programs prepared, including a motion program and a non motion task program
What You Will Learn
- How parallel processing works within FANUC robot controllers
- The difference between sequential and concurrent program execution
- How to modify a program’s group mask to remove motion dependencies
- How to use the RUN command to execute programs in parallel
- Practical examples of parallel tasks such as device control and status signaling
- Why maintaining uninterrupted motion is critical for production efficiency
By the end of this video, we will have a clear understanding of how to structure programs so multiple processes can run simultaneously without interfering with one another. This is a valuable technique for anyone looking to streamline automation workflows and get more out of their FANUC systems.
