TeachKuka

TeachKuka is a SunriseWorkbench application for manually teaching the KUKA LBR iiwa. Without writing a trajectory in code, an operator can guide the robot by hand, save a position, and record and replay a motion sequence.

The program uses gravity compensation. When enabled, the robot is easy to guide by hand and holds the position set by the operator. This is useful for quickly teaching simple operations, checking the workspace, and preparing repeatable motions.

The source code is located at src/iiwa_sunrise/src/TeachKuka.java. Open or download the file to add it to a Sunrise project.

Safety

Before starting, make sure that the workspace is clear and that the robot is not executing another motion. Continuously monitor the robot during trajectory playback. Do not run the program near people or objects if motion could cause injury or equipment damage.

Tool configuration

The program attaches a tool to the robot flange through this annotation:

java

@Named("tool1")
private Tool _gripper;

Replace tool1 with the name of your tool.

Check the tool and its parameters in Sunrise Workbench:

1. Open the robot project.
2. Go to Object Templates.
3. Find the tool installed on the robot.
4. Check its name and Load data.
5. Replace tool1 in the TeachKuka class's @Named(...) annotation with this name.
6. Verify that mass, center of gravity, and inertia match the physical gripper.

Correct load model

The program may start with incorrect load data, but gravity compensation will be inaccurate. The robot may feel too heavy, drift unexpectedly, or fail to hold its position. Calibrate the tool mass and center of gravity to avoid equipment damage.

Starting the program and main menu

When TeachKuka starts, the robot first moves to Home. Before entering any operating mode, it passes through Home and moves to the configured working position. The tool named in @Named(...) is attached to the robot flange first.

Find and start the program under Applications on the smartPAD. That section also describes application states and activation.

smartHMI displays the Select operating mode menu:

Menu item	Purpose
Mode 1: Position	Guide the robot by hand and read the selected position coordinates
Mode 2: Trajectory	Record, play, and repeat a motion trajectory
Exit	End the program and return the robot to Home

In Position mode, the robot can be moved by hand. In Trajectory mode, the program records the robot motion for later playback. Exit ends the program and returns the robot to Home.

Mode 1: capturing a position

After selecting the mode, the program moves to the working position, checks the load model, and enables gravity compensation. You can now guide the robot by hand; it follows the operator and remains at the selected position.

The following actions are available:

Action	Result
Get position	Writes flange X/Y/Z in millimeters, A/B/C orientation in degrees, and joint positions in degrees and radians to the log
Back	Disables gravity compensation, stops motion, and engages the brake

The Get position button writes the Cartesian robot pose (X/Y/Z, A/B/C) and joint positions to the log. Back returns to the previous step and moves the robot to (0, 0, 0, -1.57, 0, 1.57, 0).

The following video demonstrates manual guidance in this mode:

Mode 2: recording and playing a trajectory

When this mode starts, the program clears the previous recording, enables gravity compensation, and begins saving current joint positions. A new point is recorded every 100 ms.

Recording is limited to 3,000 points, or about five minutes of motion. When the limit is reached, the program stops recording and writes a message to the log.

Mode actions

Action	Result
Replay trajectory	Stops recording, moves the robot to the initial point, and plays the saved trajectory; a new recording starts afterward
Restart	Deletes the current trajectory and immediately starts a new recording
Back	Stops recording and gravity compensation and exits the mode

After guiding the robot along the required path, select Replay trajectory. The program moves the robot to (0, 0, 0, -1.57, 0, 1.57, 0) and then replays the recorded motion. If an error occurred during teaching, press Restart to discard the recording and begin again. Back returns to the previous menu and moves the robot to the working position.

Playback

Before playback, the program pauses for two seconds so that the operator can move away. It then moves to the first recorded point and replays the motion through SmartServo at 20% relative speed.

During playback, the program monitors external joint torques. If torque on any joint exceeds 6 Nm, the robot holds its current position and pauses the trajectory. Playback continues from the paused point after the path is cleared.

Obstacle detection limitation

External-torque monitoring can stop a trajectory when unexpected resistance occurs, but it does not replace standard KUKA safety functions. The operator must continuously monitor the workspace.

The following video demonstrates trajectory recording and playback:

Finishing operation

When the main menu is closed, the program stops active recording and gravity-compensation threads, cancels the active motion, returns the robot to Home, and then exits.