Is it better to be industrial or collaborative? We all want to get the most out of our production, but it is not easy to decide between the two options. It all depends on the environment in which the machine operates, how the operators need to interact with the robot and its main functions. Companies that seek to improve their productivity and economy must be clear about what they want to achieve when automating with robotics, from now on, the role and type of robots that meet the required needs will emerge. For her, a risk analysis will show us what we require in terms of security.
Implement a robotic solution, such as traditional industrial robots, articulated arm robots, or SCARA robots. They can move at high speeds and are best suited for applications where the workspace is shared only by human operators. Physical security border guards or systems that allow automatic speed control when people approach the robot’s work area are two alternatives to integrate them.
Any physical boundary between humans and robots would block the app if the main purpose of a robot app is to help humans perform tasks like loading or unloading a vehicle. The risk assessment highlights the importance of developing adequate security measures, which is supported by the ISO/TS 15066:2016 standard.
Safety-rated monitored stops, speed and gap control, manual guidance, and power and force limitation are examples of collaborative applications listed in the standards.
Between the two types of robots begins to appear at a key point. Industrial robots can now meet many of the standards needed in a collaborative application, thanks to the higher safety alternatives now available.
Collaborative robots, or ‘cobots’, are designed to operate alongside humans and can be a safe alternative. However, there are some apparent qualifiers.
According to ISO/TS 15066:2016, the term “collaborative” refers to systems or applications in which automatically operated robots work together with people. This means that, like any other type of robot, collaborative robots must be evaluated based on risk.
For example, if the robot is required to work alongside humans as part of the assembly process to pass objects to operators, the risk assessment would approve the deployment of cobots. To keep the human operators safe, the robots would have to be surrounded by physical security perimeter guards.
Due to their ability to run at high speeds under typical working conditions, conventional industrial robots may be suitable for this application. In other cases, humans may need to enter a robot’s workplace only occasionally to interact with the program, or there may be a limited area of interaction. Standard industrial robots working in conjunction with safety measures such as physical guards, safety light curtains, and scanners would be the most effective approach to making such applications fast, safe, and reliable.
The distinction between industrial and collaborative robotic applications is blurring as technology advances. A robotic system must be able to adapt to the needs of a certain application and at the same time meet the requirements of the user. It’s not about which one is the best; it’s about which one is best for the job. The incorporation of collaborative robots has expanded the range of applications for which robotics can currently be used. If you need more information, please, contact us: we will be ready to help you and to discover the best solution for your project.