Basic Characteristics RAPID

Introduction
1 Other Manuals
Introduction
This is a reference manual containing a detailed explanation of the programming
language as well as all data types, instructions and functions. If you are programming
off-line, this manual will be particularly useful in this respect.
When you start to program the robot it is normally better to start with the User’s
Guide until you are familiar with the system.
Before using the robot for the first time, you should read Basic Operation. This will
provide you with the basics of operating the robot.
The User’s Guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to perform various
tasks, such as how to move the robot manually, how to program, or how to start a
program when running production.
The Product Manual describes how to install the robot, as well as maintenance procedures
and troubleshooting. This manual also contains a Product Specification
which provides an overview of the characteristics and performance of the robot.
2 How to Read this Manual
To answer the questions Which instruction should I use? or What does this instruction
mean?, see Chapter 3: RAPID Summary. This chapter briefly describes all
instructions, functions and data types grouped in accordance with the instruction
pick-lists you use when programming. It also includes a summary of the syntax,
which is particularly useful when programming off-line.
Chapter 5: Basic Characteristics explains the inner details of the language. You
would not normally read this chapter unless you are an experienced programmer.
Chapter 6: Motion and I/O Principles describes the various coordinate systems of the
robot, its velocity and other motion characteristics during different types of execution.
Chapters 7-9 describe all data types, instructions and functions. They are described
in alphabetical order for your convenience.
This manual describes all the data and programs provided with the robot on delivery.
In addition to these, there are a number of predefined data and programs supplied
with the robot, either on diskette or, or sometimes already loaded. Chapter 10:
Predefined Data and Programs describes what happens when these are loaded into
the robot.
If you program off-line, you will find some tips in Chapter 11: Programming offline.
Chapter 13-15 describes the functionality when the robot is equipped with Process-
RAPID Reference Manual 2-3