Robot Safety: Guarding Options – submitted by Paul Carrier, project engineer
Part of my job is setting up safety equipment for industrial robots. There are a number of options available. Hard fencing is always best. However, when properly installed, light curtains and area scanners can give you the flexibility and guarding that the robot requires. We use “muting technology†with light curtains or area scanners on robots that work in two workspaces.
It used to be a hassle setting up fencing for robot safety. New products are easy to assemble, reconfigure, and reuse. You save time and money with simple bolt-together frames and fencing or panels. The products are flexible enough to guard robots of any size or shape.
KC Robotics’ installation team insures that your robot is installed to meet the ANSI/RIA safety standards. They can also assist in meeting industrial safety standards for all your automation.
Two sources for robot safety standards are: (1) ANSI/RIA Robot Safety Standard and (2) OHSA Guidelines for Robot Safety. NSI/RIA R15.06-1999 is the original standard of safety and still the standard for re-deployed and reconditioned robots.
The newest robot safety standard – ANSI/RIA/ISO 10218-1-2007 - covers new robots only.
OSHA Guidelines for Robot Safety: SECTION IV: CHAPTER 4: INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS AND ROBOT SYSTEM SAFETY provides government regulations and recommendations for robot safety. Available on OSHA’s website:
INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS AND ROBOT SYSTEM SAFETY
You must log in to post a comment.