With the right advanced machine safety devices, you can use an industrial robot and integrate safety features that are similar to a those of a collaborative robot.
Neff Power has a robotics lab in which we demo robotics applications. In our lab is an industrial Yaskawa GP25 robot (General Purpose 25 kg payload). We are able to perform live demos by incorporating Speed & Separation Monitoring and Stop-State Monitoring using the SICK Safety SBOT controller.
Safe robotics solutions ensure the safety of humans. It’s important to have safety in order to increase flexibility and capabilities with robotics. By using safety laser scanners from SICK to detect and monitor the surroundings for objects and people entering the envelope of the robot arm, in combination with the built-in safety features of the Yaskawa Motoman robots, we are able to prototype and do proof-of-concepts in our robotics lab for applications that were previously non-automated processes.
SICK sBot safety packages combine a safety area scanner with safety logic to safely monitor your robot without hard-guarding or fencing.
This technology provides a collaborative work space around your robot with safety monitored stop and speed and separation capability. Download the SICK Sbot PDF HERE.
The SICK safety laser scanner detects the presence of a human or an object entering the safety area. The SICK SBOT system connects with the YRC1000 controller through the FSU (Functional Safety Unit) to make sure that the robot operates at the appropriate speed and then comes to a complete stop as a human enters the work envelope of the robot.
Speed & Separation Monitoring occurs in the yellow zone. The robot slows to a safe speed when a human or objects is detected entering the yellow zone. The robot resumes normal speed when the human or object is detected leaving the yellow zone.
Stop State Monitoring occurs in the red zone. The robot comes to a complete stop when a human or object is detected entering the red zone. The robot resumes safe speed when the human or object is detected leaving the red zone and then resumes normal operating speed when the human is detected leaving the yellow zone.
The SICK SBOT hardware monitors for a specific pattern to be followed. Enter yellow zone, enter red zone, exit red zone, exit yellow zone. When this pattern is not followed, the SICK hardware communicates with the robot controller to put the robot in a Safety E-Stop condition.
What if someone goes behind the robot, and doesn't go back out through the red zone and then the yellow zone? This kind of scenario happens when someone needs to check a cable behind the robot, or look for something that my have fallen behind the robot. The result is an E-stop condition. The robot will need to be manually reset.
For manual resets, all humans and objects must be clear of the safety zones, both yellow and red, in order for the robot to be able to start up again.
The Neff Power robotics lab is a safe (and fun!) place to try out new robotics applications. We love the challenge of setting up a robot demo to show that it can be done in a safe and effective way. We are highly sensitive to the proprietary processes of our manufacturing community.
Do you have a process that is repetitive or ergonomically challenging, and would like to see the ROI of a robotics solution in our robotics lab? Request a discussion with our engineers and tell us about your application!