Ask the Experts
Show Per Page:
My question is about the strength of the guard around a robot. We are building a machine that an operator will be within the reach of a robot. There will be a guard door with a interlock switch that is tied into the robot E-Stop. If the door is open the robot will stop. The problem is that the robot could break through the door guard. My question is, does the guarding system around a robot need to be stronger than any force the robot can apply or is it enough that the door interlock switch will trip if the door is broke through?
Lee Burk - Training Coordinator
l.burk@pilzusa.com
What are the current options for camera based, robot safety systems? Is there anything else besides PILZ SafetyEYE?
Lee Burk - Manager, Training & Standards
l.burk@pilzusa.com
Do you forsee requirements for redundant valves in pneumatic systems or some similar impact on pneumatic systems in the upcomming release of R!A 15.06?
Lee Burk - Manager, Training & Standards
l.burk@pilzusa.com
We have a number of die casting machines that are robot loaded and unloaded. The machines have light curtians on both the front (operator) area and side (robot) area. When the operators have to tilt the cope it breaks the front light curtians which e-stop the robot. To reset, the operator must hold an opto-touch and press a reset button together. I have been asked to add a bypass key switch for the front light curtians which will bypass only the front light curtians for the cope tilt. The robot would receive a cycle stop to finish it's task. The robot side light curtians would remain active and latch if broken e-stopping the robot. My question is if this is in compliance with the 15.06 standard?
Lee Burk - Manager, Training & Standards
l.burk@pilzusa.com
Regarding fixed barrier guards, what kind of impact from a robot would a fixed barrier guard have to sustain? In other words, if somebody is standing next to the fixed barrier guard outside the safeguarded space and the robot impacts fixed barrier guarding through some mishap how much deflection should fixed barrier guard allow to protect person standing next to it?
Some standards, however, use a limit of 150 Newtons force for significant risk.
Lee Burk - Manager, Training & Standards
l.burk@pilzusa.com
What is robot interlock? How it will take place and what are its causes and remedies?
Lee Burk - Manager, Training & Standards
l.burk@pilzusa.com
Is there a safety standard available for using limit switches to limit motion of a six axis robot?
Lee Burk - Manager, Training & Standards
l.burk@pilzusa.com
What do the standards say about distance between the entry/exit safeguarding into and out of a robot paint booth and the part?
A good reference standard would be EN 349, SAFETY OF MACHINERY - MINIMUM GAPS TO AVOID CRUSHING OF PARTS OF THE HUMAN BODY
Lee Burk - Manager, Training & Standards
l.burk@pilzusa.com
I need to write a robotics safety policy for our company and need some direction or sample policies to go off of. Can I get some help or direction with this?
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=DIRECTIVES&p_id=1703
Lee Burk - Manager, Training & Standards
l.burk@pilzusa.com
I should have been less ambiguous in my question. Section 11.1 of RIA15.06:1999, it states in section (e) that fixed barriers shall require the use of tools to remove any fixed portion. Can a barrier be considered "fixed" if it has the ability to be locked? The key to the lock would only be available to trained maintenance personnel. In this sense, the key would be a tool. It would require a deliberate action by someone to gain access through the barrier.
Lee Burk - Manager, Training & Standards
l.burk@pilzusa.com