What standards or regulations define someone being locked in robot enclosure?
Mike Kunkle from MEK Consulting - Owner
mekconsulting [at] comcast [dot] net (717) 578-9875
The answer to your question can be found in the ANSI/RIA R15.06-1999 Industrial Robot Safety Standard.
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Can a panel of the cell guarding be manually removed while operating a semi-automated machine? The locating tolerance of the part being placed is within 1mm & changes with every part. Removing the panel will allow the operator to visually inspect the location while operating the controller.
Lee Burk from Pilz Automation Safety L.P. - Manager, Training & Standards
l [dot] burk [at] pilzusa.com (734) 354-0272
Hell Patrick.
I am affraid it is not possible to use a removable guard. The guard must be interlocked.
Possible alternative methods would be to install a transparent panel in the guard or to use a video camera to view the part.
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In the new R15.06-1 2012 collaborative section, it states that the robot SHALL stop when the human is in the collaborative workspace. Later there is a section on power/force limiting, but there is no specification on what the force is, nor whether that if the force is limited, will the initial "SHALL stop" statement be void. If the robot must stop when a human is near, what is the point of the safety rated power/force limiting?
Jeff Fryman from Robotic Industries Association - Director, Standards Development
jfryman [at] robotics [dot] org (734) 994-6088
The new 2012 edition of R15.06 introduces the concept of "collaborative" robot operation using new robots with special features, and lists four methods of this operation. The first, or safety-rated monitored stop, feature calls for a (safe) stop to be issued when the robot is waiting for the human to interact, or a protective stop if the human enters the collaborative work space at the wrong time. A variation of this would be to allow the robot to move in coordination with the human; similar to the second method, hand guiding. These two methods have well spelled out guidelines.
Two new methods are identified, but do not have sufficient guidance yet. That work is expected in a new ISO TS15066 to come out later this year or early next year. The tow methods are speed an separation monitoring (but we don't have adequate separation monitoring yet); and power and force limiting. Again, we do not have sufficient data for what appropriate force and power is yet. The SHALL stop statement is not applicable to these methods, but full guidance is yet to come.
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Source? Training DVD video (generic) on Industrial robot safety awareness. Could you give me vendor contacts? Could not find, via Goggle and Utube search. Limited to product Infoads.
Eric Esson from Frommelt Safety Products - National Sales & Marketing Manager
eesson [at] ritehite [dot] com (262) 574-1126
Brad, I do not know of any video providing detailed information, however, there are many product videos that contain a lot of information. Our video on the Guardian DEFENDER by Frommelt Safety provides information on all the important codes and regulations and how this product can be applied.
Flossie Mohler from Miller Edge, Inc. - Vice President Sales & Marketing
fmohler [at] milleredge [dot] com (602) 738-8279
Hello Brad,
I'm not quite clear. Are you are looking for safety training video or safety product vendors.
We are based in PA and manufacture safety mats and sensitized bumper switches.
You can view more about us at www.MillerEdge.com or call.
Can we help you?
Flossie
Mike Kunkle from MEK Consulting - Owner
mekconsulting [at] comcast [dot] net (717) 578-9875
Please contact me for information.
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A turn-key equipment supplier recently gave us a proposal which had a large robot in a relatively narrow self-contained enclosure to perform finish grinding on castings. The robot must use 90%+ of its forward reach capacity to get to the part. However, as the robot spins 180 degrees for a tool change, due to the forward reach requirements, the restricted space goes well outside of the enclosure (by 20+ inches). I asked the supplier if the enclosure was designed to stop the robot and their answer was "no". In my previous experience, there was a requirement of 18" clearance between the restricted envelope and any obstruction or guarding with the hard stops on the robot. Is this still a typical industry standard?
Can electrical devices be installed on the robot to prevent that penetration of the enlcosure and possibly hit someone standing outside of it? I was always told to not trust the electrical safety devices and place the robot cell guarding 18" away from the part / end effector / robot.
Jeff Fryman from Robotic Industries Association - Director, Standards Development
jfryman [at] robotics [dot] org (734) 994-6088
One absolute in robot safeguarding is that the perimeter guarding (establishing the safeguarded space) may not be placed any closer to the hazard than the restricted space. Further, no one may be able to reach over, under, around or through (an opening) and reach the hazard. This means that the robot may NOT reach out beyond the perimeter guarding in any circumstance. The restricted space must be established using limiting devices (usually hard stops). While considered bad design, the enclosure, as you inquired, could be the restricting device if strong enough. You were informed correctlya about ordinary electrical devices.
There is a new optional feature available on some new robots called "safety-rated soft axis and space limiting". The various manufacturers have their own names for this optional feature; but it is a safety-rated software feature that limits robot travel and can be used as the limiting device to establish the restricted space (but again this has to be inside the perimeter guarding). In the new R15.06 (2012) the clearance requirement is changed to 20 inches instead of 18, but is now applicable only in areas where there are required tasks and the hazard of a pinch point from an obstruction not supporting the robot task, such as a perimeter guard (fence).
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In a multiple robot cell. When two people are required for a teaching operation (1 teaching,1 spotter). If a second tm is holding another robot teach pendant with an E-stop does this satisfy the requirement for an enabling device or does it have to be a three position deadman switch? This is provided that the second robot teach pendant E-stop will stop the robot being taught as well.
Mike Kunkle from MEK Consulting - Owner
mekconsulting [at] comcast [dot] net (717) 578-9875
Chad,
The second person must have an active three position secondary enabling device in his/her position. There are wireless secondary enabling switches and e-stops now available.
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ANSI-RIA R15.06-1999, page 29, letter B, states: "Barrier openings shall not be greater than 132.00mm (5.0 inches) unless a risk assessment is performed." Does this apply to the opening underneath permeter guarding, sometimes referred to as a "sweep space"?
Eric Esson from Frommelt Safety Products - National Sales & Marketing Manager
eesson [at] ritehite [dot] com (262) 574-1126
Everybody will interpret this document slightly different. After selling robot guarding for Frommelt Safety Products for over 12 years I always recommended no more than 3" of sweep space. With that said later in that same document you will find a specification stateing that the gap from the walking surface to the bottom of the fixed barrier fencing be no greater than 12" . You are probably safe but if you would like, I could arrange to have our Regional Manager visit your facility. Please give me a call or visit our webwite at frommeltsaefty.com
Mike Kunkle from MEK Consulting - Owner
mekconsulting [at] comcast [dot] net (717) 578-9875
Kyle,
The "sweep space" you speak about is 7" in the R15.06-1999 standartd, but has changed to 5" in the R15.06-2012. The barrier openings of 132.00mm are areas where you may reach through the perimeter guarding as long as the robot work envelope is out of reach.
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We have set up a robot cell with pure mechanical interlocks. All doors will be locked and keys pulled off the locks and keys need to stay with the controller to activate the robot. Just realised that somebody will be locked during programming because of this safety system. Is there any other way to solve this and still comply with safety regulations?
Flossie Mohler from Miller Edge, Inc. - Vice President Sales & Marketing
fmohler [at] milleredge [dot] com (602) 738-8279
You could use safety mats inside the robot cell to prevent the robot from moving while a person is standing inside the cell.
Please visit our web site at www.MillerEdge.com to learn more about your options and feel free to contact us.
Best Regards,
-Flossie
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We are designing a HMI Screen that is currently mirroring our robots Teach Pendant program. The only way to manually jog the robot is still through the Teach Pendant. We do, however, have a "home" button on the HMI screen and on the Teach Pendant to send the robot into a safe position before anyone can enter the robotic cell. What can be done to prevent both devices from being "active" at the same time in order to be in compliance with with 10218-1 (single point of control)?
Lee Burk from Pilz Automation Safety L.P. - Manager, Training & Standards
l [dot] burk [at] pilzusa.com (734) 354-0272
For the "home" button on the pendant to be active you must be in teach mode. When in teach mode, the "home" button on the HMI should no longer be active.
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Is the Risk Assessment in ANSI R15.06-2012 going to be the same as the Risk Assessment in ISO 10218? Is the draft copy of ANSI R15.06-2012 available?
Wade Hickle from Motoman Robotics - Sr. Manager Project Solutions Group
wade [dot] hickle [at] motoman.com (937) 440-2615
There is currently a working group creating a technical report on this subject. While the release date has not been defined, I would expect the document will be publish this year.
Overall look and feel is the similar.
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Can an employee enter a work envelope by locking the gate open to mop floors or perform set up on a machine not associated with the robot, e.g, a lathe, etc.. The interlock is wired in safe mode and requires the gate to be closed and two start up buttons to be engaged prior to the robot engagement.
Frank Claude from Dunwoody College of Technology - Principle Instructor
fclaude [at] dunwoody [dot] edu (612) 374-5800, x8206
Sounds like this question is related to OSHA's Control of Hazardous Energy LOTO rather than the safety systems on the robot. Anyone who needs to be in the workcell, but is not working specifically with the robot, should have a lock on the primary power to the workcell.
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Safety Standards - Is EN ISO 13849-1 relevant in North America, specifically the U.S.?
Eric Esson from Frommelt Safety Products - National Sales & Marketing Manager
eesson [at] ritehite [dot] com (262) 574-1126
Yes. Effective January 1, 2012, machine builders and integrators must use EN ISO 13849-1:2008 to prove presumption of conformity with the Machinery Directive. On January 1, 2012, EN 954-1:1996 and EN ISO 13849-1:1999 may no longer be used for this purpose.
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Do I need an electronic and/or physical safety curtain around the 'UR 10' robot (manufactured by Universal Robots, Danish company)?
Eric Esson from Frommelt Safety Products - National Sales & Marketing Manager
eesson [at] ritehite [dot] com (262) 574-1126
My guess is that because the referenced code has not yet been ratified in the US you would need the guarding to be in place Additionally the determination of the level of guarding required is determined by a risk assessment.
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My understanding of Lock-Out Tag-Out is that light curtains, key-card access & other safety systems are permissible for minor servicing & routine production activities only, and that such systems are not acceptable for startup activities such as die or mold changes or product changeovers. For such start-up activities, de-energization and lockout at the power source(s) is required. Is this correct?
Eric Esson from Frommelt Safety Products - National Sales & Marketing Manager
eesson [at] ritehite [dot] com (262) 574-1126
Best practices would say lock out the machine during these activities.
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If I have a robot working on a line, and the line builds out and I move the robot to a line next to it, does it require the robot to meet all current ANSI standards?
Eric Esson from Frommelt Safety Products - National Sales & Marketing Manager
eesson [at] ritehite [dot] com (262) 574-1126
YES, simple answer according to ANSI RIA 15.06-1999. A hazard identification and subsequently a new risk assesment must be performed becasue this robot has essentially been redeployed or remanufactured.
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Six months back or so I attended a webinar on changes to and a new safety standard.
Is there a new standard or is ANSI / RIA R15.06 1999
still the law of the land so to speak?
Jeff Fryman from Robotic Industries Association - Director, Standards Development
jfryman [at] robotics [dot] org (734) 994-6088
The ANSI/RIA R15.06-1999 is still the "current" safety standard. The new standard talked about in the webinar is in the final process of being approved and I am anticipating it will be released in the 4th quarter of this year.
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I have been reviewing ANSI/RIA R15.06-1999(R2009) and would like some confirmation that I am interpreting it correctly. The focus of my request centers on the safety of a production operator. As I understand the safety requirements, the operator is to be protected from the hazard(s) located in the safeguarded space by the safeguarding devices. These safeguarding devices provide a perimeter around the hazard. Entry into the safeguarded space may be via interlocked barriers (i.e. gates) and/or presence-sensing safeguarding devices (i.e. light curtains). The intent of these safeguarding devices is to stop the hazard if the operator enters the safeguarded space while the hazard is running. As I interpret this, there is no requirement that there be a presence-sensing safeguarding device inside the safeguarded space if the controls which restart the robot/system (which are located outside the safeguarded space) provide for a clear view of the entire safeguarded space. To my knowledge, there is nothing in the safety requirements which would prevent someone other than the operator from restarting the system (other than common sense). So, in the simplest terms, the intent is that access to the hazard is limited, and when someone enters the hazardous area during operation, the hazard is stopped. No requirement exists that the hazardous area be continually monitored while someone is in the area to prevent someone from outside the hazardous area from restarting the hazard as long as the entire hazardous area can be clearly viewed. Correct?
What is the minimum distance needed between perimeter fence and reach of end of arm tooling?
Gary Bruner from WireCrafters LLC - Director of Production
gbruner [at] wirecrafters [dot] com (502) 363-6691
Depends on the size of mesh opening in the fence, could be anywhere from 6 to 33 inches.
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Robotics Safety - Entering Robot Cells
When entering into a robot cell, cage or area the operator is supposed to:
Pull interlock plug (killing the power)
Grab teach pendant
Enter cell with teach pendant
Since the power is dead from the interlock, we have had other people entering as well with the rationale that the power is dead so there are no issues. In this case is it necessary for every other person who enters the robot area to lock out the robot? Or is just having it turned off enough? I think I know the answer but was hoping someone with more experience in robotics safety could assist. Is there an associated standard?Thanks in advance.
Kate Puisis from JR Automation Technologies LLC - Technical Writer
kpuisis [at] jrauto [dot] com (616) 820-3366
William, Epoch Robotics, a division of JR Automation Technologies, is a recognized leader in the industrial robotic servicing industry. We can help with your query. Please contact Dale Schaner at 616.638.1877, as he would be happy to assist with your safety question.
Jeremy Walter from Ellison Technologies Automation - After Market Sales
jwalter [at] ellisontechnologies [dot] com
Ellison Technologies Automation has some products that can help. Call 712-328-3410
The standard you are looking for is below.
ANSI/RIA Clause 10.7.5.d.1
Additional personnel within the restricted space shall be furnished with and use an enabling device consistent with 4.7.3
Jason Jamiel from KC Robotics, Inc. - Service Manager & Senior Applications Engineer
jjamiel [at] kcrobotics [dot] com (513) 860-4442
Hello, Pulling the interlock key out of an access door DOES NOT kill robot power. if integrated properly, pulling the interlock to enter while the robot is in auto mode should kill servo power to the robot. Gate entry maintaining servo power can only be achieved if the system is in manual or teach mode.
If other personnel need to enter the working envelope of the robot while someone has control of the pendant, a detonator style estop unit should be held by the secondary associate in the cell, when this trigger unit is released, the servo power of the system should be aborted automaticaly by a dual channel estop circuit. let me know if you have any questions
jjamiel@kcrobotics.com
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We have a robot in our manufacturing facility that loads and unloads a welding machine and transfers the welded parts to a trolley that delivers them to another machine. The robot has been in service for a number of years. It resides in a closed room that has signage on the door that says authorized personnel only. Once inside the room, access to the robot is limited by a plastic chain across the opening. Based on the fact that it has been in place for several years, are these measures adequate/legal, and if not, what are our requirements when it comes to restricting access to the working envelope of this robot?
Eric Esson from Frommelt Safety Products - National Sales & Marketing Manager
eesson [at] ritehite [dot] com (262) 574-1126
Charles - - Please check ut our product at http://www.frommeltsafety.com/light-curtain-alternative.php
Lee Burk from Pilz Automation Safety L.P. - Manager, Training & Standards
l [dot] burk [at] pilzusa.com (734) 354-0272
On the basis of your description this application is not in compliance with R15.06.
The simplest solution would simply be to inhibit robot and trolley motion when the work cell is accessed. If motion is required during access additional measures will have to be implemented in accordance with the standard. The requirements are too lengthy to describe here and would depend on your specific application and needs.
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I would like to remove several hard barriers from a robot assembly work cell. Is there a 3-D programmable soft barrier that will slow robot speed related to human proximity that is approved in the United States?
Lee Burk from Pilz Automation Safety L.P. - Manager, Training & Standards
l [dot] burk [at] pilzusa.com (734) 354-0272
The only product I am aware of is the SafetyEYE from Pilz. It is a 3-dimensional camera-based safety system that provides programmable zones to slow or stop the robot on approach.
Regarding approval in the United States, there is no related standard for safety devices. The SafetyEYE is capable of meeting the requirements of R15.06 when applied in accordance with a risk assessment and the manufacturer's guidelines.
Please feel free to contact me for more information.
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Good Morning;
My question surrounds slide locks and CSA Z460-05 & Z142-10. The question is as follows.
(Q) If a worker wants to manually block as well as using the slide lock mechanism to "wipe a die" is this an acceptable request? The company is stating the "slide lock" meets all the requirements and therefore there is no need ( regulated or not ) for blocks.
Lee Burk from Pilz Automation Safety L.P. - Manager, Training & Standards
l [dot] burk [at] pilzusa.com (734) 354-0272
The employee always has the right to question and to refuse tasks he feels may be unsafe. Have the function, operation, and safety factors of the slide lock been fully explained to the individual? Is there an issue with complying with his request?
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Can a Robot be in motion while a light curtain is muted?
I'm muting a light curtain for a pallet to exit a work cell, and want to know If the robot can do other tasks while the light curtain is muted.
Eric Esson from Frommelt Safety Products - National Sales & Marketing Manager
eesson [at] ritehite [dot] com (262) 574-1126
From my understanding no. You have basically removed the safety function and no movement should be allowed. Please look into using a Guardian DEFNDER from Frommelt Safety. This product provides a physical barrier as well as electronic means of restricting access to robot processes.
Lee Burk from Pilz Automation Safety L.P. - Manager, Training & Standards
l [dot] burk [at] pilzusa.com (734) 354-0272
If the pallet effectively prevents access to the cell while the muting function is active then it is acceptable. The exiting pallet becomes the safeguard.
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Can someone enter a robot cell with a stationary robot to work on a piece of machinery within the cell with the use of a safetymat/Laser scanner etc. while the robot continues operate in other zones?
Lee Burk from Pilz Automation Safety L.P. - Manager, Training & Standards
l [dot] burk [at] pilzusa.com (734) 354-0272
The short answer is yes. Please refer to clause 10.2.3 of the RIA standard. Specific provisions for dynamic limiting devices are provided here.
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