Control gripper via UR controller client interface

bcastets 2019-06-14

Clients ask us form time to time how to control the gripper from a PC using UR controller client interface.

Here is an example of Python script made by my colleague to control the gripper remotely by the port 30002.

Native UR command like moveL or servoJ can be sent directly to port 30002. All functions implemented by a URCap like the Robotiq Gripper function are unknown even if the URCap is installed. When a program is written on the teach pendant, all URCap function definitions are implemented in this program each time it is compiled and executed by the UR controller. This means if you try to send the command line rq_move_and_wait(58) function to the controller by the port 30003, it will never work because it's unknown to the controller.
To achieve a gripper function, the definition of this function must also be sent.

If you look at the attached example where the python program sends a file called gripper.script, there is 650 line of function definitions to achieve a single activate and a move function of the gripper. These 650 includes all the gripper functions. At the end of the file, the desired commands are there.

zoom

The definition of gripper function is evolving with time. You can find the latest gripper function definition in the .script file save with your program on the controller. You can get it using UR backup magic file or using FTP.

For more information about client interface you can have a look to UR documentation:
https://www.universal-robots.com/how-tos-and-faqs/how-to/ur-how-tos/overview-of-client-interfaces-21744/

albertgo 2019-06-28

So, to make the gripper move, I put in a command at the bottom of the Gripper.script file and send it to the correct port?

bcastets 2019-07-02

albertgo said:

So, to make the gripper move, I put in a command at the bottom of the Gripper.script file and send it to the correct port?

Yes, that it. It should work but may take some time to send the script.

albertgo 2019-07-08

How do I know if the script was sent properly?

ief12 2019-11-22

I know this post is not brand new, but thanks for the really useful script!

I have two Questions to this topic:

- Is it possiple to run the script inside a thread on the controller, so i do not have to transmitt the whole script every time? Or is this out of scope?

- Any ideas how to check parameters of the gripper (f.e. object detected)? Open a additional Socket or use RPC?

Thanks in advance

bcastets 2019-11-22

ief12 said:

I know this post is not brand new, but thanks for the really useful script!
I have two Questions to this topic:

- Is it possiple to run the script inside a thread on the controller, so i do not have to transmitt the whole script every time? Or is this out of scope?

- Any ideas how to check parameters of the gripper (f.e. object detected)? Open a additional Socket or use RPC?

Thanks in advance

1/ You could save gripper parameters in robot modbus register and have a program running on the robot with a thread to monitor value change and trigger gripper when needed. Then from your PC you can write the modbus register of the robot to register a gripper action.
2/ You would also use robot modbus register. You can write in robot register the result of object detection and access this information from your PC.

bcastets 2021-01-12

Some people asked me how to control the vacuum gripper through 30002.
It is exactly the same procedure.
A script with all functions and gripper commands is send through 30002 using a python program.
I attach the files to this post.
Vacuum actions are at the bottom of the file.

This will work only if the robot is in remote control mode.