The demonstrator has many advantages that make engineers inseparable from it.

The first is security. To program non-cooperative industrial robots, disabling switches are needed. This is a switch that automatically acts in the event of an operator becoming incapacitated, such as death, loss of consciousness, or removal from a control device. It is generally used as a form of fail-safe, stopping the machine to avoid possible hazards. The instructor enables the user to switch the robot’s operation mode between instruction mode and unrestricted operation by using a key, thus controlling the disable switch.

For cooperative robots, there are also some emergencies that require the robot to stop working on its own. The demonstrator is used to ensure a safe and protective shutdown. All systems have the potential to fail, so the operator needs to have the ability to control the robot and change its behavior mode to a safe mode in order for the person to enter the work unit or move the robot to any desired location. The instructor is the most effective tool for performing these operations.

The second advantage is monitoring. The instructor can be used to monitor the robot and all the equipment in the work unit for any behavior errors and alarm, or even judge the possible behavior errors of the robot. When the program is running, the instructor is a window to understand the robot operation and the control position of the entire program.

The third advantage is testing. An instructor is also a great tool and way to test new robot programs, and it’s quick and easy. Of course, in addition to testing with an instructor, testing can also be done with third-party tools such as the OLRP application. Compared with OLRP, the instructor can do some simple programming tasks faster and more easily. OLRP’s software tools are ideal for applications with hundreds or thousands of points, such as complex paths for welding. However, many jobs do not involve such complex movements. For example, robots are programmed for stretching, picking and placing, linear welding and dispensing. These operations are simple and need to be done quickly, especially in high-complexity, small-batch production environments, to minimize the impact of switching times. Of course, whatever tool is used, it must be done at a slow speed under the supervision of the operator to prevent hardware damage caused by errors. During this test, the operator checks the clearance between the robot and the hardware in the unit of work, such as the machine tool. Other test activities performed with the instructor include teaching the basic framework and the tool framework, where the operator can run the robot slowly to verify how it moves within the unit of work, and to verify the scope of the robot and its tooling within the unit of work.