Are you ready to automate?
Meet our cobot family. Our collaborative robots are made for a huge range of tasks, in operations of every size. They’re easy to set up, program, operate, and scale. Built by industry-leading experts. And serviced by the broadest service network in the industry. Whatever you need, we’re here to support every step of your automation journey.
How we help our customers
FAQs
What types of collaboration exist?
There are three types of collaboration, coexistence, intermittent collaboration and cooperative or close collaboration. They are enabled by safety-rated safety functions in collaborative robots, including power and force limiting, speed and separation monitoring, hand guiding, and safety-rated stop, as defined by ISO10218-1 and ISO/TS15066.
When is a collaborative robot useful?
Collaborative robots are useful where flexible automation is needed, such as smaller production batches where a lot of manual labor exists today. Collaborative robots have a smaller footprint with a lightweight design which makes them suitable for environments with limited spaces, their easy programming and lead-through features makes them ideal for first time robot users. The collaborative robots are ideal for customers who want to create a barrier free work environment where humans and robots can work side by side.
How do I create a risk assessment for a cobot application?
The process is very similar to a standard risk assessment for an industrial robot application, you should follow ISO10218-2 and also ISO/TS15066 as guidelines. You can also search on the internet for risk assessment templates and resources.
What safety aspects do I need to consider in a collaborative application?
Please follow a standard risk assessment before designing your application. Assess the risk factors associated with human robot collision, gripper, fingers, layout of the application & equipment around the application.
How do I use SafeMove for a collaborative application?
SafeMove can be used to monitor the speed and position of Single Arm YuMi® so that any unwanted human robot collision can be prevented.
What do I need to consider regarding gripper, finger, fixtures, workpieces in a collaborative application with regards to safety?
Customers should ensure that the design of the Gripper, fingers and fixtures is smooth without any sharp edges. You need to consider all potential collision and clamping situations. It is also important to consider the additional hazards brought in by other tools or machines in the application environment. Always do a safety risk assessment of your collaborative robot application!
If I use a Cobot in another application, do I need to certify it again?
Generally, yes. For every modification in a pre-existing application is necessary to review the related risk assessment that is the key document in the certification process. If the new application brings new and different hazard these need to be reconsidered.
How can I protect the face or head region of a human?
Some typical measures to reduce this risk are to program the arm to move with the elbow pointing down, and the same for the gripper. Another measure can be mounting the robot in a position where it’s not possible to have contact with a human face. For Single Arm YuMi® with the SafeMove option it is possible to define virtual zones for the robot movement. We also always suggest the use of safety goggles to protect the eyes. In some application it may make most sense to use physical barriers such as a plexiglass screen.
Why do I need laser scanners or light curtains when I already have Safemove?
Safemove provide safety-certified safety functions that monitor the robot’s behavior with a PL d-certified reliability. However, in order for the robot to react to human presence it needs external sensors to notify it of the location and presence of humans, hence the need for external safety sensors.
What are the international standards for collaborative robot safety?
The relevant international standards for collaborative robots are:
Norm | Title | Status |
Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC | Standard | |
ISO 12100:2010-11 | Safety of machinery | Standard |
ISO 13849-1:2015 | Safety of machinery | Standard |
ISO 10218-1:2011 | Robots and robotic devices | Standard |
ISO 10218-2:2011 | Robots and robotic devices | Standard |
ISO/TS 15066 | Robots and robotic devices | Technical Specification |