How to safely incorporate cobots in industrial workplaces
01 June 2020
Small industrial robots are designed to operate in cooperation with humans rather than in isolation. (Image source: KraussMaffel/KUKA Robotics)
This article from DigiKey Electronics looks at the advantages of adding cobots to a working environment and points out the safety concerns before describing the recent regulatory guidelines and presenting risk assessment and mitigation strategies. It then introduces cobots with built-in safety mechanisms that allow them to be safely added to any production or workflow environment.
Compact industrial robots are now available that can be cost-effectively integrated into even small production lines. Part of their appeal is that such robots can collaborate with a human operator to offload repetitive tasks that would otherwise tire the operator and lead to mistakes. The problem is that working in close proximity to a moving machine poses safety risks for humans.
The key to keeping collaborative robots (cobots) safe is to carefully consider the risks involved and configure the robot and its control system to mitigate potential hazards. Fortunately, technical specifications are now available to help guide developers along the path to safety.
This article looks at the advantages of adding cobots to a working environment and points out the safety concerns before describing the recent regulatory guidelines and presenting risk assessment and mitigation strategies. It then introduces cobots with built-in safety mechanisms that allow them to be safely added to any production or workflow environment.
Read the full article on the DigiKey website here: https://www.digikey.co.uk/en/articles/how-to-safely-incorporate-cobots-in-industrial-workplaces
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