Collaborative Robot FAQs
Your new collaborative robot has just been dropped off at your facility, what do you need to do next to get it up and running? The common misconception is that the collaborative robot is a plug-and-play robot. The fact of the matter is that is only half true. Yes, the robot has additional safety features when compared to industrial robots; however, that doesn’t make the system plug and play. There are many factors that need to be considered before the collaborative robot can be installed and run as part of your normal operation.
Here are some True/False statements to test your knowledge of Collaborative robots:
*Click to reveal answer
FALSE
While the robot is equipped with sensors, that doesn’t mean collisions can’t occur. Collaborative robots are designed to limit the amount of force that can be exerted on an object during a collision. When that force limit is exceeded the robot will stop virtually instantly. This action will preserve the robot, end of arm tool, and the operator from being damaged or hurt.
FALSE
The collaborative nature of the entire application must be considered in its entirety. For example, if the collaborative robot is utilizing a knife this may well be a non-collaborative application using a collaborative robot that will require full guarding. A safety audit in accordance with RIA standards should be completed on any robotic deployment.
FALSE
According to RIA standards and/or robot manufacturers’ requirements, it is typically completely unacceptable to impact an operator in the head or neck area at any speed at all. Based on this care must be taken to understand what can happen and all possible impacts should be considered in a risk assessment.
FALSE
Through the use of various safety systems such as guarding, sensors, safety scanners, and light curtains, we can reduce your risks to a tolerable level on any robotic cell, collaborative or industrial.
If you have the need or want to automate any part of your process but don’t know where to begin, call MJ Engineering at (614) 891-6111 ext. 110. We can help whether you have the robot already or don’t even know where to begin.
The possibilities never end!
Your new collaborative robot has just been dropped off at your facility, what do you need to do next to get it up and running? The common misconception is that the collaborative robot is a plug-and-play robot. The fact of the matter is that is only half true. Yes, the robot has additional safety features when compared to industrial robots; however, that doesn’t make the system plug and play. There are many factors that need to be considered before the collaborative robot can be installed and run as part of your normal operation.
Here are some True/False statements to test your knowledge of Collaborative robots:
A Collaborative robot won’t hit people……………FALSE
While the robot is equipped with sensors, that doesn’t mean collisions can’t occur. Collaborative robots are designed to limit the amount of force that can be exerted on an object during a collision. When that force limit is exceeded the robot will stop virtually instantly. This action will preserve the robot, end of arm tool, and the operator from being damaged or hurt.
A Collaborative robot can be used to perform any function in my facility without guarding or safety needing to be considered………FALSE
The collaborative nature of the entire application must be considered in its entirety. For example, if the collaborative robot is utilizing a knife this may well be a non-collaborative application using a collaborative robot that will require full guarding. A safety audit in accordance with RIA standards should be completed on any robotic deployment.
A Collaborative robot straight out of the box is safe to use around people………FALSE
According to RIA standards and/or robot manufacturers’ requirements, it is typically completely unacceptable to impact an operator in the head or neck area at any speed at all. Based on this care must be taken to understand what can happen and all possible impacts should be considered in a risk assessment.
I’m stuck with a collaborative cell that doesn’t meet my safety teams requirements and can’t be used in production……….FALSE
Through the use of various safety systems such as guarding, sensors, safety scanners, and light curtains, we can reduce your risks to a tolerable level on any robotic cell, collaborative or industrial.
If you have the need or want to automate any part of your process but don’t know where to begin, call MJ Engineering at (614) 891-6111 ext. 110. We can help whether you have the robot already or don’t even know where to begin. The possibilities never end!