Offline Programming

Writing and verifying a robot program in a 3D simulation on a computer first, then downloading it to the real robot to run.

Offline programming is a way of programming industrial robots: a 3D model of the workstation (robot, tooling, workpiece CAD) is built on a computer, motion trajectories are generated and adjusted in simulation software, and reachability, collisions, and cycle time (how long it takes to finish one workpiece) are checked; once confirmed, a ‘post-processor’ translates the trajectory into the target controller brand's robot language (such as ABB's RAPID), which is then downloaded to the real robot. This contrasts with online programming, where an engineer teaches the robot point by point with a teach pendant on the shop floor, during which production has to stop. Offline programming doesn't consume production time and suits complex trajectories or frequently changing product lines; according to Wikipedia, it can shorten the time to bring a new program online from weeks to a single day. The difficulty is that the simulated model and the real setup differ somewhat, so the robot and workpiece usually need to be calibrated to correct for that. Common software includes RoboDK and ABB RobotStudio, with RoboDK claiming support for over 80 brands and 1,400-plus robot models.

ExampleBefore switching a production line to a new workpiece, an engineer imports the workpiece's CAD into RoboDK, generates a path for a welding gun or sanding head along the part's edge, simulation-checks for collisions and cycle time, post-processes it into an ABB RAPID program, and downloads it to the robot, needing only minor point corrections on-site.

Also called

OLP, Off-line Programming

Related

Teach-and-Playback Programming · Teach Pendant · Industrial Robot · Digital Twin · Simulator · Kinematic Calibration

Sources

Wikipedia: Off-line programming (robotics)
RoboDK: Offline Programming

As of

2026-09