Robot Safety Standard, ANSI/RIA R15.06-1999 on Risk Assessment and Methodology and Specific Guidelines for Safeguarding Robotic Systems

Article From legacy.roboticsonline.com

Brief Summary:

Robots have multiple axes that provide automation for manufacturers but also require a large workspace. When incorporating robotic systems into your plant it is required that you are in compliance with the Robot Safety Standard ANSI/RIA R15.06-1999.

This updated standard now has an entire section on risk assessment and methodology, as well as specific guidelines for safeguarding robotic systems.
Robots provide for ''flexible'' automation, and thus are highly configurable machines that have unique capabilities.
One of the most unique aspects of a robot is its multiple axes and large motion envelope or work space.
This large space gives the robot its flexibility, but also creates a significant hazard to personnel, particularly if the robot is handling a large work piece.
Unique to robotics is singularity, a condition caused by the collinear alignment of two or more robot axes resulting in unpredictable robot motion and velocities.
This condition is particularly hazardous to the teacher, who is tasked to be inside the safeguarded space of the robot, with robot motion enabled. His primary safeguard is his ''single point of control'', i.e. the robot teach pendant.
Advancing the robot through the point of singularity results in potentially unexpected motion of the robot arm, which is not otherwise ''controlled'' by the pendant.
Robots provide for ''flexible'' automation, and thus are highly configurable machines that have unique capabilities.
One of the most unique aspects of a robot is its multiple axes and large motion envelope or work space. This large space gives the robot its flexibility, but also creates a significant hazard to personnel, particularly if the robot is handling a large work piece.
Unique to robotics is singularity, a condition caused by the collinear alignment of two or more robot axes resulting in unpredictable robot motion and velocities. Though potentially undesirable at any time, singularity becomes a specific hazard during the task of teaching (programming) the robot.

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