37 www.drivesncontrols.com November/December 2024 SAFETY n measure the forces in the event of a collision with the cobot and documenting the results. nGuarding Determining whether physical or virtual guarding are required, or if risks can be mitigated through power and force limitation, or whether a combination of risk reduction measures is needed. nPermissible force values Using the body model and the risk assessment to identify the areas of the body which could be struck in the event of a collision. This will then need to be validated. While removing hazards or risk can be done in various ways, technology is also increasingly playing a part in collaborative applications. Using a cobot’s internal force and pressure monitoring is one option but other, easy-to-validate, techniques exist and can be used not only with cobots, but also with industrial robots. For example, Fanuc’s Dual Check Safety (DCS) software function monitors a robot’s speed and position enables safer operation and reduces risk in system design. Using external sensors – such as light guards or oor scanners – in combination with DCS oers system designers a new method when human/robot collaboration is needed. Making higher payload collaborative applications safe, requires specic hardware and software that can be validated, ensuring risk-free operation. These approaches have been implemented on robots with payloads of more than a tonne. Become a Machinery Safety Expert with the Machinery Safety Experts Pilz Automation Ltd ŹCorby NN18 8TJ Ź Telephone: +44 (0) 1536 460766 Ź Email: training@pilz.co.uk Ź Website: www.pilz.co.uk Course suitable and beneficial for all industries Recognised worldwide as the benchmark for Machinery Safety training Hosted by Experts who draw on lived-industry experience and working examples Imparts a comprehensive overview of the Machinery Safety life cycle TÜV NORD Certified and CPD Accredited The 4 Day Machinery Safety course is focused on the safety regulations, standards and risk management used within the UK. It is City & Guilds Assured and CPD Accredited. lj lj lj lj lj CMSE® (Certified Machinery Safety Expert) is run regularly from our purpose-built training facility. A working knowledge of Machinery Safety is required for attendance on a CMSE® course. Need to boost your knowledge? Our City & Guilds Assured 4 Day Machinery Safety Course is the perfect preparation. Scan me for course contents + availability Scan me for course contents + availability Cobots are nding uses away from factory oors. It is important to ensure safety in all applications. Best practice As with any area of machine safety, it is always best to seek advice from your cobot supplier or a safety consultant if you are in any doubt over a cobot or application’s compliance with the proposed new safety standard. This is relevant not just from a CE/UKCA marking point-of-view, but also because the end-user or cobot system integrator has a legal responsibility to show compliance to PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations). If a cobot or associated process does not comply with the new safety standard, it is unlikely that they will be PUWERcompliant, either. While cobots may continue to be seen as the “friendly face” of robotics, and are increasing in popularity across a variety of manufacturing sectors, it is important to remember that they are still industrial robots. The upcoming alignment of the cobot safety technical specification with those pertaining to industrial robots reflects this, and users and integrators need to take their safety responsibilities seriously. n For more information and advice on cobot and robot safety, visit www.cobotsmachinerysafety.co.uk
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