Collaborative Robot Technologies
FIRST MODE OF COLLABORATION:
SAFETY-RATED MONITORED STOP
SAFETY-RATED MONITORED STOP
- The robot can be stopped in a safe position, allowing the operator to load, unload or add parts, as well as perform other tasks without shutting off the robot motor power.
- 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. This RMU has been certified as a safety device by TUV and complies with international safety standards for industrial robot collaborative use.
SECOND MODE OF COLLABORATION: DIRECT TEACH
- Simplifies programming and reduces setup time by allowing the operator to program the robot using this hand-guided method
- NRS 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 its taught path or a modified path. Combining methods of collaboration adds flexibility to operations with inherent variability in processes.
THIRD MODE OF COLLABORATION:
SPEED & SEPARATION MONITORING
SPEED & SEPARATION MONITORING
- 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, reduce its speed in the yellow zone and completely stop once a human enters the red zone.
- Speed reduction settings can be independently configured to the application, depending on risk assessment.
This mode 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.
FOURTH MODE OF COLLABORATION:
POWER & FORCE LIMITING
- Eliminates the ability of the robot to harm a human worker.
- After performing a risk assessment, collaborative applications can be performed without the need of 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.
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.
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.
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.