How to Configure and Use the Programmable Keys on ABB Robot Teach Pendant?

How to Configure and Use the Programmable Keys on ABB Robot Teach Pendant?

The ABB robot teach pendant features four programmable shortcut keys. During the debugging process, configuring these keys enables the simulation of peripheral signal inputs or the forced output of signals. Flexible utilization of these programmable keys significantly enhances debugging efficiency. In this article, we'll discuss how to configure these four programmable keys.

The programmable keys are located at the top right corner of the teach pendant, totaling four: Key1 on the left, Key3 on the right, Key2 at the top, and Key4 at the bottom. See the diagram below: 

ABBrobot contrlo panel(photo:ABB inc.)


The configuration steps for the programmable keys are as follows:


Click on the [ABB] menu - [Control Panel]:

Abb robot contrlo panel(photo:ABB inc.)


Locate [ProKeys (Programmable Keys)], as shown in the image below:

AbbProKeys(photo:ABB inc.)




You can see the configuration interface for the four keys, as shown in the image below:

configuration interface(photo:ABB inc.)



The programmable keys can be configured as Input, Output, or System, as shown in the image below:


programmable keys(photo:ABB inc.)


When configured as "Input," the teach pendant will list all available digital input points in the right-hand box. For example, in my system, there are two digital input points: IO1_I0 and IO1_I1, as shown in the image below:

Digital input points(photo:ABB inc.)

If we select "IO1_I0" and confirm, then when Key1 is pressed, "IO1_I0" will receive a signal of 1.

When configuring the key as "Output," the right-hand list box will display all configured digital output signals.

In the "Key Pressed" list box, you can choose the action to be taken when the key is pressed. The options include:

  • Toggle
  • Set to 1
  • Set to 0
  • Press/Release
  • Pulse

 "Key Pressed" list box(photo:ABB inc.)

The meanings of each menu item are as follows:

  • Toggle: Toggles between 0 and 1 when the key is pressed.
  • Set to 1: Sets the digital output (DO) value to 1 when the key is pressed, essentially setting it.
  • Set to 0: Sets the digital output (DO) value to 0 when the key is pressed, essentially resetting it.
  • Press/Release: Sets the DO value to 1 when the key is pressed and to 0 when released.
  • Pulse: Sets the DO value to 1 on the rising edge when the key is pressed.

When configuring the key as "System," you can choose to relocate the program pointer to the Main function, as shown in the image below:

 Main function(photo:ABB inc.)

All of these configurations have an option at the bottom left corner of the teach pendant asking whether it's allowed to run in "Auto Mode." Typically, this option is set to "No."

Reference Article: Configuration of ABB Robot Standard IO Signal Board