South-Africa-Robot-Programming-Showcase

Industrial robotics portfolio demonstrating 4-point pick-and-place programming across ABB, KUKA, and Fanuc - the three major robot brands used in South African manufacturing. Includes RAPID, KRL, and TP code with video demonstrations, screenshots, and technical documentation. Vendor agnostic programmer showcase.

🇿🇦 South Africa Robot Programming Showcase

Developer

Awande Gcabashe

• Applied Mathematics & Computer Science, UNISA
• 1-Year Gantry Robotics Experience
• Vendor Agnostic Robot Programmer

Project Overview

A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating industrial robot programming across the three major brands used in South African manufacturing: ABB, KUKA, and Fanuc. Each project implements a standard 4-point pick-and-place cycle with production-ready code.

Why This Matters

South Africa's automotive and manufacturing sectors (VW, BMW, Ford, Toyota) use multiple robot brands. Being vendor agnostic means I can adapt to any controller placed in front of me.

Projects Included

Brand	Software	Language	Status	Industry Use
ABB	RobotStudio / RoboDK	RAPID	Completed	Automotive, General Industry
KUKA	KUKA.Sim	KRL	Completed	Automotive, Logistics
Fanuc	ROBOGUIDE	TP	Complete	Automotive, Electronics
RoboDK	RoboDK	Python + RAPID	Complete	Multi-brand Simulation

Repository Structure

South-Africa-Robot-Programming-Showcase/ │ ├── README.md # This file ├── Comparative_Analysis.md # Brand-by-brand comparison ├── Project_Report.pdf # Complete engineering report ├── Acknowledgments.md # Industry contacts & mentors │ ├── ABB_RobotStudio/ │ └── 4_Point_Moves/ │ ├── ABB_Program.rap # RAPID source code │ ├── ABB_Demo_Video.mp4 # Full cycle demonstration │ ├── ABB_Screenshots/ # Pendant, program, cell views │ └── ABB_README.md # Brand-specific documentation │ ├── KUKA_Sim/ │ └── 4_Point_Moves/ │ ├── KUKA_Program.src # KRL source code │ ├── KUKA_Demo_Video.mp4 # Manual point execution │ ├── KUKA_Screenshots/ # Program tree, jog panel │ └── KUKA_README.md # Brand-specific documentation │ ├── Fanuc_ROBOGUIDE/ │ └── 4_Point_Moves/ │ ├── FANUC_4POINT_DEMO.LS # ASCII source code │ ├── FANUC_4POINT_DEMO.TP # Binary pendant file │ ├── Fanuc_Demo_Video.mp4 # Auto mode running │ ├── Fanuc_Screenshots/ # Pendant, position data │ └── Fanuc_README.md # Brand-specific documentation │ ├── RoboDK_Project/ │ └── Pick_Place/ │ ├── PickPlace_Project.rdk # RoboDK station │ ├── update_counter.py # Python production counter │ ├── PickPlace_Project.mod # Exported RAPID code │ ├── Demo_Video.mp4 # Full simulation run │ ├── Screenshots/ # TCP, cell, counter views │ └── RoboDK_README.md # Project documentation │ └── References/ └── Learning_Notes.md # Key concepts & shortcuts

Skills Demonstrated

Technical

• Robot Programming: ABB RAPID, KUKA KRL, Fanuc TP
• Simulation: RobotStudio, KUKA.Sim, ROBOGUIDE, RoboDK
• TCP Calibration: 4-point (ABB/KUKA), 3-point (Fanuc)
• Coordinate Systems: Work Objects, Bases, User Frames
• Logic Programming: Loops, WAIT commands, I/O simulation
• Python: Counter script for production tracking

Professional

• Vendor Agnostic: Adaptable to any robot brand
• Troubleshooting: License limits, singularities, software quirks
• Networking: Direct contact with ABB and Fanuc South Africa
• Documentation: Engineering-grade reports
• Time Management: Completed all projects within constraints

How to View Each Project

ABB RobotStudio

1. Open ABB_RobotStudio/4_Point_Moves/ABB_Demo_Video.mp4
2. Review ABB_Program.rap for RAPID code
3. See pendant screenshots for verification

KUKA Sim

1. Watch KUKA_Sim/4_Point_Moves/KUKA_Demo_Video.mp4
2. Review KUKA_Program.src for KRL code
3. Note: Trial version limitations documented

Fanuc ROBOGUIDE

1. Watch Fanuc_ROBOGUIDE/4_Point_Moves/Fanuc_Demo_Video.mp4
2. Review FANUC_4POINT_DEMO.LS for TP code
3. See position data screenshots

RoboDK Pick & Place

1. Watch RoboDK_Project/Pick_Place/Demo_Video.mp4
2. Python counter visible on screen
3. RAPID code ready for real ABB

Syntax Comparison (4-Point Program)

Operation	ABB (RAPID)	KUKA (KRL)	Fanuc (TP)
Joint Move	MoveJ pHome, v100, fine, tool0;	PTP PHOME Vel=100 %	J P[1] 100% FINE
Linear Move	MoveL pPick, v100, fine, tool0;	LIN PPICK Vel=0.1 m/s	L P[2] 250mm/sec FINE
Wait	WaitTime 0.5;	WAIT SEC 0.5	WAIT 0.50(sec)
Loop	WHILE TRUE DO...ENDWHILE	LOOP...ENDLOOP	LBL[1]...JMP LBL[1]
I/O Output	Set doGripper;	$OUT[1]=TRUE	RO[1]=ON

Acknowledgments

• Stephan le Roux, Fanuc South Africa - Provided ROBOGUIDE files within hours; demonstrated industry mentorship
• Dhanya Prabhakaran, ABB SoftwareFactory - Guidance on educational licensing
• Professor E. Franc Doungmo Goufo, UNISA - Academic support and encouragement
• RoboDK - Accessible free simulation tools
• Google Search - Real-time assistance

Author

Awande Gcabashe

• Applied Mathematics & Computer Science, UNISA
• 1-Year Gantry Robotics Experience
• Vendor Agnostic Robot Programmer
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/awande-g-b098123a1/
• https://github.com/Awande07

License

Educational use only. All projects built with trial/educational software licenses.

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Project Completed: April 2026 Location: South Africa Goal: Demonstrate hireability in industrial robotics