In robot programming, what does the “walk-through” (teach-by-guiding) method involve when creating a program for repeated motions?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Physically moving or guiding the robot through all motions it will later repeat

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Industrial robots are programmed by several methods: offline programming (simulation), teach pendant jogging, and teach-by-guiding (“walk-through”). The walk-through method is intuitive—an operator physically guides the arm through the desired path; the controller records waypoints and timing to replay the sequence automatically.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Robot supports gravity compensation or backdriveable joints to allow safe guiding.
  • Controller can record joint positions, speeds, and I/O events.
  • Application is repetitive motion such as pick-and-place or welding.


Concept / Approach:
Teach-by-guiding minimizes programming complexity and speeds deployment by letting domain experts demonstrate tasks directly. Once captured, the program can be refined with precise speeds, accelerations, and interlocks (e.g., gripper open/close) to ensure safety and quality.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Engage teach mode and enable compliant or backdriveable behavior. Physically move the robot through the desired poses and paths. Record waypoints, tool actions, and timing for each step. Exit teach mode and test the program in slow/step mode before production speeds.


Verification / Alternative check:
Collaborative robots popularized direct teaching; traditional robots may use force-sensing or pendant-assisted guiding, validating that physical guidance is a standard programming method in many cells.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A: Code reviews are good practice but not the definition of walk-through programming. C: Moving locations is logistics, not a programming method. D: Cannot be correct because A and C are not the method. E: Offline simulation is different from physically guiding the robot.


Common Pitfalls:
Failing to enable safety modes, not capturing tool I/O events, and skipping validation at reduced speed can cause collisions or poor quality.


Final Answer:
Physically moving or guiding the robot through all motions it will later repeat

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