Introduction

Arctos Studio provides a comprehensive environment for robot simulation, programming, and control. This guide will help you understand the core functionality and operation of the software and Arctos robot system.

The software combines powerful simulation capabilities with intuitive control interfaces, allowing for rapid program development and precise robot manipulation. The control system implements both forward and inverse kinematics solvers that calculate optimal joint configurations while respecting mechanical constraints.

Multiple interaction modalities, including direct joint control, end effector positioning, and programmatic sequencing, accommodate different user preferences and task requirements.

Interface Overview

The Arctos Studio interface is organized into functional sections designed for efficient workflow.

Robot Connection

Establishing a connection with your Arctos robot is the first step in any working session.

To connect to your robot:Choose the robot version from the dropdown menu:

Open Loop – Standard version without encoder feedback

Closed Loop – Enhanced version with encoder-based position control

Select the appropriate communication port from the available options.Click the “Connect” button to establish communication.Check the Messages section at the bottom of the interface for connection status:

For Open Loop systems, you should see GRBL settings being reported

For Closed Loop systems, you should see “CAN successfully connected”A properly connected robot will show a green status indicator and enable the control interface elements.

Basic Robot Control

Arctos Studio offers multiple methods to control robot movement, from direct joint manipulation to interactive end-effector positioning.

Manual Joint Control

The joint control panel provides precise control over each robot axis.

Each joint can be controlled using the corresponding slider or by entering a specific angle in the numeric field. As you adjust joint values, the 3D model updates in real-time to show the resulting robot position.

Direct Control Mode

The Direct Control option determines whether commands are sent to the physical robot or limited to the virtual environment.When enabled, movements you perform in the interface are immediately sent to the physical robot.When disabled, movements occur only in simulation, allowing for safe program development and testing.This safety feature is particularly useful when developing new programs or working in shared spaces.

3D viewer navigation

The 3D viewer provides navigation controls to adjust the camera position and orientation for optimal robot visualization.

Camera Controls

The rotation center is at robot’s base. All camera movements maintain this reference point for consistent navigation.The coordinate system uses the standard convention:X-axis: RedY-axis: GreenZ-axis: BlueNavigation speed depends on the distance from the focal point, allowing both broad scene adjustments and precise detail examination.

Press the “G” key to toggle between translation and rotation modes. The software automatically calculates the inverse kinematics required to achieve the desired position while respecting joint limits.

End Effector Manipulation

Arctos Studio features an interactive gizmo system for intuitive end effector positioning:Click on the end effector in the 3D view to activate the manipulation gizmoClick and drag along any colored axis to move the end effector in that direction

Press the “G” key to toggle between translation and rotation modes. The software automatically calculates the inverse kinematics required to achieve the desired position while respecting joint limits.

Program Creation

Creating automation programs in Arctos Studio involves recording robot positions as targets and organizing them into sequences.

Recording Targets

Editing Targets and Sequences

The program tree provides tools for organizing and modifying your automation sequence:Select a target and click “Update Target” to replace it with the current robot position

Drag and drop targets to reorder them in the sequence

Right-click on targets for additional options including rename and delete

Program Parameters

Fine-tune your program execution using the parameter controls:Speed (1-100%): Controls the velocity of robot movementsDelay (seconds): Sets the pause duration between target positionsTransition Time (seconds): Adjusts how long the robot takes to move between targets, creating smoother motion paths

Program Execution

Once your program is prepared, you can execute it on the virtual or physical robot.

Running Programs

The execution controls are straightforward:Ensure your robot is in a safe starting positionVerify that Direct Control is appropriately set based on your needsClick “Run Program” or press “R” to begin execution

The robot will progress through each target in sequence, respecting the configured speed and timing parameters. At any point, you can press “Stop” or the “S” key to immediately halt execution.

Program Management

Arctos Studio uses a file-based system for saving and loading programs:Enter a descriptive name in the program name fieldClick “Save Program” to store your sequence as a .rp fileUse “Load Program” to open previously saved sequences

Gripper Control

The gripper control slider adjusts the opening of the robot’s end effector from fully open (0%) to fully closed (100%).

Gripper positions are automatically recorded as part of each target, allowing for complete automation of pick-and-place operations.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with Arctos Studio or your robot connection:

Verify that the correct robot type (Open/Closed loop) is selected

Check the Messages panel for error information

Ensure that all cables are securely connected

Try disconnecting and reconnecting the robot

Restart the application if communication problems persist

For persistent issues, consult the detailed troubleshooting documentation or contact technical support with the error messages displayed in the Message panel.