Imagine programming a robot to drill precise holes into a block of material. On a factory floor, that would mean halting production, setting up safety zones, and risking wasted parts if something went wrong. With RoboDK, you can design and test the entire process virtually with no downtime, no wasted material, and no risk.

At Robot Automation Ltd, we use RoboDK to create accessible, real-world examples that help both students and manufacturers see what industrial robotics can achieve. One of the simplest but most effective demonstrations is a robot drilling task.

Why Simulation Matters

For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), automation promises improved productivity and consistency. But testing a new robotic process on the shop floor can be expensive and disruptive. Setting up a robot, programming it, and discovering errors through trial and error wastes both time and resources.

Simulation changes the equation:

• Safer training – students and staff can experiment without risk.
• Lower cost – no wasted materials, no production stoppages.
• Greater flexibility – test multiple robots, tools, and setups with the same software.

RoboDK makes this process brand-agnostic, supporting more than 50 robot manufacturers. That means a program created in simulation can be directly transferred to the real robot, saving even more time.

Example: A Robot Drilling Task

In this exercise, we simulate a KUKA KR 10 R900 sixx robot fitted with a spindle tool. The task is simple: drill six holes in a block mounted on a worktable.

Using RoboDK, we first build the workstation:

• Load the robot model from RoboDK’s extensive robot library.
• Add a reference frame so the robot understands its workspace.
• Import a table and block model and position them in the right place relative to the robot.
• Attach the spindle tool to the robot arm.

Building the Program

While the logic of drilling is straightforward, it highlights the power of RoboDK’s approach:

• Define targets – For each hole, we create two targets:
  An approach target, where the tool lines up above the hole.
  A finish target, where the tool reaches drilling depth.
• Sequence movements – The robot moves from Home, approaches each hole, drills, retracts, and moves to the next hole.
• Add speed controls – We slow the robot to 10 mm/s during drilling for accuracy, then increase speed to 500 mm/s when moving between holes.
• Return to Home – The cycle ends with the robot returning safely to its Home position.

Together these steps create a full drilling program in RoboDK’s Station Tree. With one click, the program runs in simulation, showing the robot drilling six holes with controlled, efficient motion.

Benefits for Training and SMEs

This simple exercise demonstrates a few important lessons:

• For learners: Students see how robots use reference frames, tools, and targets to interact with the world. They get hands-on experience with the logic of industrial programming without needing lab access.
• For SMEs: Businesses can test cycle times, check reachability, and validate robot programs before committing resources on the shop floor. By experimenting virtually, they avoid costly mistakes.
• For everyone: The same project can be adapted to different robot brands, making training transferable and protecting investments in automation.
  
  

Conclusion

A drilling task might seem basic, but in RoboDK it becomes a powerful teaching tool. It demonstrates how robots can be programmed logically, tested safely, and deployed efficiently, all without leaving your desk.

At Robot Automation Ltd, we believe exercises like this make industrial robotics more approachable, whether you’re a student beginning your journey or a manufacturer exploring automation.

👉 To try this drilling exercise yourself, download videos, step by step instructions, and the completed RoboDK station file at Exercise 1 – Robot Drilling

For more RoboDK examples, or to find out more about Robot Automation, visit us at www.robotauto.co.uk