Collaborative Robot Technology

Nachi Robotic Systems Inc. has combined the most effective, safe, and user friendly collaborative robot technologies to achieve the highest level of operator safety while maximizing production output. Nachi Robots are capable of operating in four unique collaborative modes during a process; these modes can be run in concert or independently depending on application requirements using a variety of robot models. Whether you are interested in Safety-Rated Monitored Stop, “Direct Teach” Hand-Guided Programming, Speed and Separation Monitoring, or Power and Force Limiting technologies Nachi has a solution to optimize your manufacturing process by providing collaborative robot solutions. Nachi collaborative robot technologies satisfy the robot safety requirements of ISO10218-1 international standard.

COLLABORATION METHOD #1: SAFETY-RATED MONITORED STOP Using the first method of collaboration, Safety-Rated Monitored Stop, the robot can be stopped in a safe position allowing the operator to load, unload, or add parts and perform other tasks without shutting off robot motor power. Safety-Rated Monitored Stop can drastically improve cycle time by avoiding tedious restart procedures while also minimizing additional tooling costs. Nachi Robots utilize the RMU (Robot Monitoring Unit), a Category 4 ISO 13849-1 PLe certified safety device to prevent motion during the Safety-Rated stop period. RMU has been certified as a safety device by TUV and complies with international safety standards for industrial robot collaborative use.

COLLABORATION METHOD #2: HAND GUIDANCE The second mode of collaboration simplifies programming and reduces setup time by allowing the operator to program the robot using the Hand Guided method called “Direct Teach”. Nachi has developed a specialized safety enabled Direct Teach joystick that connects to the robot allowing the user to move the robot to program points without a teach pendant. Points and programmed paths can be easily taught without extensive robotics knowledge, simplifying setup and reducing programming time. Additionally, Nachi Robots can utilize Safety-Rated Monitored Stop in combination with hand guidance during automatic operation, allowing the operator to manipulate the robot along it’s taught path or a modified path. Combining methods of collaboration adds flexibility to operations with inherent variability in processes.

COLLABORATION METHOD #3: SPEED AND SEPARATION MONITORING Speed and Separation Monitoring is the third mode employed to allow safe and direct collaboration between humans and robots. Safety rated sensors detect human presence and the robots’ speed is limited proportionally to the distance between robot and human. The robot will operate at full speed when the human is in the green zone, reduced speed in the yellow zone, and completely stop once human enters the red zone. Speed reduction settings can be independently configured to the application depending on a risk assessment. Speed and separation monitoring can be configured to operate with collaboration methods #1 and #2 to provide a fully flexible system that can be safely stopped and manipulated at any time during automatic operation.

COLLABORATION METHOD #4: POWER AND FORCE LIMITING The fourth mode of collaboration is what defines a typical “collaborative robot” as it is commonly known throughout the robotics industry. The ability to limit motor power and force during an application eliminates the ability of the robot to harm a human worker. After performing a risk assessment, collaborative applications can be performed without the need for additional safety fencing. Using the Nachi RMU (Robot Monitoring Unit), limited power output motors, and reduced operating speeds operators can work side-by-side with robots without fear of harm to the operator. If the robot contacts a human or other object it will simply stop upon making contact without causing injury or damage. The robot can then be restarted from any point allowing it to continue production.