1. Introduction

Meca500’s web interface, called MecaPortal, is more or less the equivalent of the teach pendant’s interface of a traditional industrial robot. The interface is essentially an HTML 5 web page with JavaScript and WebGL scripts. All of these files reside in the robot’s controller, so you do not need to install anything on your computer, but Google Chrome or another web browser.

The interface basically translates your mouse clicks, joystick movements and keyboard entries into proprietary commands that are sent to the robot’s controller. These are primarily the same commands described in the Programming Manual that you will eventually start sending from your own application, written in C++, Java, Python or any other modern programming language. In addition, the web interface displays the feedback messages received from the robot and the 3D model of the actual robot.

The MecaPortal is intended mainly for testing and writing simple programs. You must create your own software application or program if you intend to use the robot for complex tasks, such as interacting with inputs and outputs (in which case you also need a third-party I/O module).

The web interface is also used for updating the firmware of your robot.

Danger

Before using the MecaPortal, you must read your robot’s user manual (MC-UM-MECA500).

1.1. Privacy

Although the MecaPortal runs in a web browser, it does not require an internet connection to operate your robot. By default, it remains offline. The only times the MecaPortal connects to the internet are when you click on the Mecademic logo in the top-right corner or when you use clearly marked links to our website (for example, to view tutorials or documentation). If you do not use these links, no internet connection is made.