Robot Cell Energy Consumption Optimisation with Modern Simulation Tools

Simulation-based design of robotic cells is a crucial step in developing robotic applications. By optimising layout configurations, frame (pose) positioning, load data, motion blending, operational speeds and accelerations, and by upgrading to advanced, high-efficiency controllers, a robotic cell can substantially reduce its energy consumption. Optimising the simulation model enhances key performance indicators, including energy consumption, cycle time, and flexibility, thereby driving financial savings and reducing environmental impact. This paper presents a practical framework for optimising simulation design and applies it to a palletising case study. In a simulation environment, following the proposed framework reduced the robot’s energy consumption by 44.3%, which may contribute to environmental and financial savings throughout the robot’s useful lifecycle. Future work will validate the proposed approach on a physical robot by measuring the actual energy consumption and comparing it with the simulation results.