RobotWorks was designed for quick, easy and interactive robot programming on the PC for the mainstream robot-user community. It is the only program combining the power of solid CAD with robotic utilities in one interactive package.

RobotWorks' greatest strength is found in its philosophy - Let the PART drive the robot.
In RobotWorks you create the path first, using only the tool and part. Leave the part in mid air, the bench and fixtures will come later.
Once you are sure that the process itself runs correctly, add the external parts around the solution, not the other way around.

Most other simulators mimic the Teach Pendant and you end up moving the robot instead of the tool. It is not the robot that does the job ? It's the tool. By concentrating on perfecting your tool path, you will optimize your application.
 

In order for RobotWorks to use a robot model, it must have the following key features:

Solid model with movable links
Joint values and joint limits which can stop the motion simulation
Post processor that writes robot files internally

Internal kinematics information

RobotWorks interacts with the solid model features internally. The robot parts are built with parameters that contain specific mathematical calculations behind them.
Moreover, the direction of rotation of the links is dictated by the robot manufacturer. We take this into account in our .RB4 file.
If the parts are not fully compatible, the program may produce the wrong direction of motion and inaccurate path data.

If you built a complete robot yourself in SOLIDWORKS and we do not support it, we may be able to make it compatible by modifying it. Contact RobotWorks Support for more details.

Currently no.

RobotWorks motion is calculated using information taken from SOLIDWORKS solid objects and from its internal engine. In addition, RobotWorks uses the SOLIDWORKS graphic window as the stage for all its operations, where the RobotWorks tools act upon and interact with the SOLIDWORKS objects displayed there.
 

RobotWorks supports one or two-axes positioners (rotary) in an integrated way, so a robot file will contain all the information for such a path. The calculations for positioner are done to optimize tool movement. This is an add-on option for additional price.
The motion is completely integrated, meaning that both robot and positioner will move throughout the path simultaneously.

This option is offered for ABB, Motoman and FANUC robots.

You may build positioner yourself in SOLIDWORKS according to RobotWorks rules.

Linear slide (under the robot) is not supported for integrated motion. It can be taken into account when writing the file so it will contain the proper values for slide position, but RobotWorks does not support moving the robot on linear slide during simulation.

Contact RobotWorks Support for further details.

The RobotWorks program is available for evaluation free of charge via download from our site or on CD. The free program is fully functional and contains all the modules of the registered version, with the following exceptions:

You can only save, convert to robot or export up to 20 points.
The free program terminates after about 30 days.

You may create a file for a path containing any number of points. You may convert 20 of these points to your robot's native language and send them to your robot to verify that the robot understands the program and follows the path. In this way you can evaluate the entire process of how RobotWorks generates robot paths for your particular application on your particular robot.
 
Upon receiving your purchase order, we will ask you to complete and return to us by e-mail a registration file. After your registration, we will send you a license file to convert your evaluation license to a fully functional license, removing all limitations. No additional installation is necessary.

No, not at present.

RobotWorks was designed to be a quick, easy and interactive program. Compatibility with the RRS engine requires additional modules and software or hardware and is outside the scope of the current mainstream RobotWorks package.