Free white paper: ensuring safety when collaborating with robots

With the rapid uptake of collaborative robots (cobots) and the capability of today's presence-sensing safety devices, is there still a requirement for fixed perimeter guarding for robot cells? The new white paper considers this, starting with a look at this international standard:

• ISO 13855:2010 - Safety of machinery. Positioning of safeguards with respect to the approach speeds of parts of the human body

The white paper explains the importance of positioning safeguards at a sufficient distance that hazardous movements have time to stop before they are reached. A simple formula can be used to calculate the safety distance but, most importantly, if the hazardous movement cannot be stopped in time, then either the safety device needs to be moved further away (which is often not possible in today's factories) or something else needs to be used as the primary means of safeguarding.

As the white paper goes on to explain, fixed perimeter guarding has advantages if the machine's footprint is to be minimised. Furthermore, interlocks can ensure that access is prevented until hazardous movements have been stopped.

Follow the link for the free white paper How to Consider Employee Safety When Collaborating with Robots?