OPC UA URCap

for Universal Robots

Unlock the full potential of Industry 4.0 with seamless OPC UA integration for Universal Robots. Our URCap enables effortless communication using OPC UA, the leading protocol for industrial automation. It also includes object structures fully aligned with VDMA standards.

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Why Choose OPC UA for UR?

Three key reasons to integrate the OPC UA URCap in your production:

Easy to Install and Implement
A simple, cost-effective solution for immediate integration.

Fully Customizable to Your Needs
Tailor the software to your specific setup, complete with integrated security features.

Compatible Across UR Models
Works effortlessly with both CB3 and e-series robots.

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Main Features

Our OPC UA URCap stands out as the only software that translates data from Universal Robots into OPC UA format, enabling true Industry 4.0 connectivity.

This software ensures your UR robots are fully compatible with other OPC UA-enabled devices and systems.

Get started with your free trial today, or purchase a full license to unlock the full potential of your UR robots!

For more information, contact us at opc@rocketfarm.no.

Technical Overview

In today’s automated world, seamless communication between machines and control centers is crucial, and OPC UA stands out as a leading, scalable protocol.

Our OPC UA URCap enables your UR robot to act as both server and client, seamlessly translating robot data into OPC UA format and sending it to the desired Server/Client for smooth integration with your network.

With secure communication via encrypted connections and bi-directional data flow, robots can both send and receive data from external OPC UA servers, translating it into actionable variables.

The URCap also supports key VDMA functionalities, such as:

Supervision: Monitor robot operation and safety in real-time.

Condition Monitoring: Track parameters like motor temperature for predictive maintenance.

Asset Management: Maintain detailed records of robot components for streamlined maintenance.

Learn more about VDMA standards here and download the user manual to configure the OPC UA URCap for improved communication and performance in your production environment.

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Pricing Plans

We believe in transparency, no hidden fees, no extra charges.
Because we trust our product, we offer full support at no additional cost.

0€

30-day Free Trial

Easy to install, simple to use.
Get started without commitment!

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*$0

2040€*

Perpetual Licence

Fully customizable and secured with integrated features.

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*$2220. Prices starting from

1225€*

Educational Price

Special pricing for educational institutions.

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*$1330. Prices starting from

How to Use the OPC UA URCap

Learn how to configure and operate the OPC UA URCap’s client and server functions.

In this demo, we successfully installed the URCap on two robots—one CB-series and one e-series—and set one up as an OPC UA server and the other as a client, enabling bidirectional data exchange.

FAQ for OPC UA URCap

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) for the OPC UA URCap. Software that connects Universal Robots to OPC UA. Continuously updated.

Q: What is OPC UA?

A: The OPC Unified Architecture (UA), released in 2008, is a platform-independent service-oriented architecture that integrates all the functionality of the individual OPC Classic specifications into one extensible framework.

The OPC UA URCap is a software module that extends the functionality of the Universal Robots programming interface with basic data exchange via the industry standard OPC UA protocol.

Q: What is the OPC UA URCap?

A: The OPC UA URCap is a software module that extends the functionality of the Universal Robots programming interface, with basic data exchange via the industry standard OPC UA protocol.

Q: Is it open source?

A: No, the OPC UA URCap is not open source. However, the OPC UA-related services use the open source open62541 OPC UA implementation.

Q: What are the requirements for installing the OPC UA URCap?

A: The OPC UA URCap is developed using the following URCap API version 1.5 functionality.
– CB3.1: Available in Universal Robots software v.3.8 or greater,
– E-series: Available in Universal Robots software v.5.2 or greater.

Q: How do I use the OPC UA URCap?

A: There are three ways to access the functions of the OPC UA URCap.
– Program nodes
– Script functions
– Low-level API (the OPC UA daemon)

Q: Is the OPC UA URCap an OPC server or an OPC client?

A: Both as client and server functions can be used simultaneously.

Q: What kind of variables are supported?

A: Currently supported variable types are bool, string, integer, and double.

Q: Is there an import function for variables?

A: Yes. It is possible to import the INI files that you have created into OPC URCap.

Q: Does the OPC UA work like the robot’s Modbus/TCP data items, which are always available, even when a program
is not running on the robot?

A: No. The functions provided by this URCap are application-level, meaning that the main robot program must control the OPC UA data exchange.

Q: Does this OPC UA support the OPC UA Information Model for Robots by VDMA and OPC Foundation?

A: Yes. All mandatory fields of the Robotics information model are available, including:
– MotionDevices
– Controllers
– SafetyStates

Q: Are there standard robot status data items the OPC server will make available to an external client?

A: Yes. Robot status data is provided within the Information Model for Robotics.

Q: It appears that you can create an OPC tag/attribute that programmatically moves any program variable into an OPC
tag within the server. Is this required for ALL data on the OPC interface?

A: The short answer is yes, as the primary purpose of our URCap is to provide application-level data exchange functions to the robot program.

In spite of this, even if the robot program is not running, the OPC UA Server is still running in the background. Therefore, it is possible to write an independent background process that updates OPC UA variables independent of the robot program.

Q: Do I need a license for each robot?

A: Yes, you do.

Q: Can I buy a license and use it on different robots?

A: No. A permanent license is always bound to a specific robot with its serial number.

Q: How do I get a license?

A: There are several ways to get a license.

The direct way to do this is to purchase an OPC UA license. Here, you will sign up for a license, and we will help you install your license. You pay a one-time fee by invoice after receiving the license. We offer a special rate if you are a UR Distributor, UR System Integrator, or Educational Institute. You can apply for a special rate if you qualify for these criteria.

You can also try the OPC UA URCap for 30 days before deciding whether to buy it.

Q: How do I get a trial license?

A: After installing the OPC UA URCap on your robot, follow the instructions below:
– Enter Installation in the top menu
– Choose “OPC UA” in the left-side menu
– Choose “License” in tabs
– Click “Copy license request to USB,” and a pop-up should appear
– Choose “Yes” to activate the trial license.
A 30-day free trial license is now activated.

For visual instructions of the above, see this screencast on activating your trial license.

Q: How do I request your OPC UA URCap License?

A: To use the OPC UA URCap, you must obtain a valid license file for the robot.

The license can be temporary or permanent. You can install a temporary license (30-day free trial) on any robot for evaluation purposes. A permanent license is always bound to a specific robot with its serial number.

On the robot, a unique license request is generated for permanent licenses. Perform the following steps to get a valid license request on a USB disk:
– Insert a USB drive into the robot
– Click the “Copy license request to USB” button in the OPC UA URCap
– Disconnect the USB drive

Send the request file to license@rocketfarm.no. Rocketfarm will return a valid license file for this specific robot. Download our “How to request your OPC UA License”-pdf

Q: How do I install the OPC UA URCap License?

After receiving a license file from Rocketfarm, perform the following steps to install your OPC UA URCap License:
– Copy the license file to the root folder on a USB drive
– Connect the USB drive to the robot
– Click the “Copy license from USB” button in the OPC UA URCap
– Disconnect the USB drive

The OPC UA “Enable daemon” button should now be available to activate and use the URCap.
Download our “How to request and install OPC UA License”

Q: Can the OPC UA license be created in advance?

A: Unfortunately, no. We need the request files from the actual cobot to create a license. Sharing the serial number with us is not enough.

Is it possible to use the OPC UA license in the UR Simulator?

A: Yes, that is possible.

As you won’t be able to upload the license to the robot from a physical USB stick, you can do the following:
– Polyscope creates a symbolic link in the programs folder when inserting a USB disk in the teach pendant. In the URSim simulator, you don’t need a physical USB disk; create any folder directly under “/media” in the file system and create a symbolic link to this folder in the actual “programs” folder. It will resemble a USB disk plugged into a physical teach pendant.