Enabling logistics robots: How does CANopen communication play an important role?

The modern logistics sector is rapidly incorporating technological advances, especially with the rise of autonomy. A key aspect in ensuring these robots operate precisely in complex warehouse environments is open protocols. This protocol integrates various components (,, cameras, and advanced battery systems) that help to complete tasks in the logistics sector smoothly and accurately.

CANopen enables efficient communication

At the heart of every logistics robot lies a complex array of components. From cutting-edge obstacle sensors to critical systems, efficient communication is critical. The CANopen protocol not only supports this communication, but also standardizes it, ensuring synchronization capabilities that allow the robot to smoothly handle a variety of tasks.

CANopen enables precise

When logistics robots move around a warehouse, accuracy is critical. For every movement, from turning to stopping and lifting, basic motor control plays a very important role. CANopen ensures precise coordination between motors through its real-time communication, ensuring that goods are safely and skillfully manipulated.

CANopen can be used for battery management

In the logistics sector, continuous operation is inevitable, so battery management is indispensable. CANopen excels in that it provides not only monitoring, but also real-time data on the battery health, thus monitoring charging and discharging indicators. This advantage enables the robot to adjust its tasks according to energy availability.

HongKe Soluons

Hongke CANopen Solution

1

Quick configuration of CANopen

The effective operation of logistics robots depends on the correct configuration of CANopen parameters. These settings determine how to group them into messages and indicate the timing and conditions of their transmission, whether time-triggered or event-triggered. Implementing the correct configuration ensures smooth and efficient data exchange between devices.

In this case, the value of a CANopen Electronic Data Sheet (EDS) editor such as CANopen Architect is clear. CANopen Architect helps users create and edit configurations, verifying whether there are any definition errors in the configuration by comparing it with the requirements of the CANopen configuration file. Once the configuration is complete and verified, CANopen configuration tools such as CANopen Mag come into play. It not only deploys these configurations directly to the nodes, but also helps test them to ensure optimal performance and compliance.

CANopenArchitect and CANopen Magic greatly simplify the configuration process

2

Let WLAN gateway easily communicate with CANopen

CANopen is mainly used in the internal operation of robots, however, to connect these operations with a wider warehouse management system, integration points are essential. Hongke CANopenIA SoM module is available in a "Remote Access" (RA) version, which is specially designed to communicate with CANopen through a standard serial channel, which means that the WLAN gateway can easily access CANopen using a universal serial. This integration ensures that the data generated by the CANopen system is seamlessly collected and transformed into actionable strategies to enhance warehouse processes. In addition, the compatibility of the RA version enables the robot status to be updated to the main control layer in real time, which can be prioritized to ensure that any potential problems (such as overheating detected internally) are immediately marked as emergencies.

3

Meeting the Challenges of Robot Development

Developing logistics robots is not just about integration, it also requires anticipating various variables in the real world - challenges can arise from sensor anomalies to motion coordination issues and even data processing delays. Devices such as the Hongke CANopenIA SoM module provide a powerful solution that is designed for integration, facilitates rapid development, and guarantees performance even in demanding situations.

In the complex process of robot development, the CANopenIA series of standard hardware modules from Hongke have proven to be very valuable, speeding up the development process, especially in terms of reducing the difficulty of development. In addition, software solutions such as Hongke CANopen Magic can be used for initial setup, extensive testing and diagnostics, ensuring that the robot is rugged and suitable for modern warehouses.

Summarize

From manual work to automated processes, and then to today's automation, the logistics industry has undergone a transformation, and CANopen-enabled devices play an important role in this process, driving logistics robots to improve efficiency and achieve more precise and efficient control. Faced with the challenges of robot development, Hongke CANopen solutions can be used to solve problems such as Rapid integration of CANopen protocol for communication, rapid configuration of CANopen parameters , thus paving the way for higher logistics throughput in the future.

Solution 1

Hongke CANopenIA SoM module

Hongke CANopenIA SoM is a powerful module designed for direct digital input and output, which can provide CANopen functions for sensors to ensure seamless integration and reliable communication. At the same time, the module can also choose an extended version, which can run as a companion and allow access to CANopen through a standard serial UART channel. This configuration enables WLAN gateways to easily connect to CANopen through a universal serial connection.

Solution 2

Hongke CANopen Architect configuration tool

Hongke CANopen Architect simplifies the setting of communication parameters within CANopen. It can guide users to build how to package signals into messages and specify their trigger conditions, including time-based or event-driven.

Solution 3

Hongke CANopen Magic software tool

CANopen Magic is a comprehensive tool essential for initial configuration and in-depth diagnostics. CANopen Magic allows users to monitor and analyze all traffic within a CANopen network. In addition, it provides the ability to inject or simulate test commands and messages, ensuring robust communication and facilitating in-depth analysis for troubleshooting and development.

Solution 4

Hongke CANopen LogXaminer long-term diagnostic tool

Hongke CANopen LogXaminer is suitable for long-term diagnostics. It can evaluate the consistency of CANopen communication over a long period of time and verify that all communications occur within their defined parameters.