Industrial or collaborative?
That is the question everyone asks themselves. We all want to get the most out of our production, but the dividing line between the two options is not as clear as you might think. It all depends on the environment in which the machine operates, the way the operators have to interact with the robot and the most important functions.
How to determine which type of robot best suits your application and how to integrate it.
The first question that companies that want to automate their processes should ask themselves is: what do we want to achieve? The answer to this question will determine the role and type of robot that is needed. Performing a comprehensive risk assessment will therefore shed light on the safety requirements.
For example, if speeding up operations is the primary objective for deploying a robotic solution, then conventional industrial robots, such as Mitsubishi Electric’s MELFA RV articulated arm and RH series SCARA robots, are likely the most suitable option. As per the application, these robots move at high speed, which means they are suitable for applications where the workspace needs to be shared with human operators only by implementing additional safety measures. Options for integrating them include building physical safety fences or implementing systems that enable automatic speed control when humans approach the robot’s work area.
Conversely, if the primary purpose is to assist workers in their activities, for example by passing or holding parts, the application would be considered collaborative. As a result, any conventional physical separation between human and robot would hinder the application. In this case, the ISO/TS 15066:2016 standard supports the development of appropriate safety measures, as determined by the risk assessment. An example of a robot designed for collaborative applications is the MELFA RV-series Assista articulated arm robot from Mitsubishi Electric.
The guidelines mention several types of collaborative applications, including monitored stop at safety level, speed and separation monitoring, hand guidance and force and power limitation.
This is where the gray area between the two types of robots begins to emerge. With the increased safety options now available, industrial robots can also meet many of the demands of a collaborative application.
Industrial or collaborative robot?
Collaborative robots, or “cobots,” designed to work alongside humans, could provide a safe solution. There are, however, some obvious caveats.
The term collaborative, as specified by ISO/TS 15066:2016, actually refers to systems or applications where automated robots share the same workspace with humans. This means that robots for collaborative applications, like any other type of robot, still require a risk assessment.
There are several industrial activities where the risk assessment would support the use of cobots, for example if the robot is to work alongside the human as part of the assembly process to pass objects to operators. Here the risk of a collision between the two is high and so this application would fall into the category of force and power limitation. Features such as a safe torque range to detect the collision and prevent injury are needed.
There are situations where using robots would require additional safety measures. For example, if potentially harmful chemicals, sharp edges or extremely hot objects need to be handled, the robot needs to be surrounded by a physical safety barrier to protect the human operators. Therefore, using a conventional robot is probably the right choice for these applications.
In other situations, it may be necessary for humans to enter a robot’s workspace only sporadically to interact briefly with the application, or for there to be a limited area for interaction. These systems will operate as quickly as possible during normal operation, slowing down only when there is a risk of collision. Again, this would mean that a conventional industrial robot would be suitable for this application, as it is capable of operating at high speeds under normal safe operating conditions.
As mentioned, the most effective way to make such applications fast, safe and reliable is to use standard industrial robots that work cooperatively, in combination with additional safety features such as physical guards or safety light curtains and scanners.
More specifically, companies can use industrial robots with high speed and high load capacity, such as the MELFA RV articulated arm robot, equipped with Mitsubishi Electric's MELFA SafePlus safety system. This means that humans and robots can work together safely and in harmony.
Making the right choice
As technology evolves, the dividing line between industrial and collaborative robotic applications is changing. The most important consideration when implementing a robotic system is to ensure that the system meets the needs of the specific application and meets the user requirements specification. The system must both achieve the required throughput and operate in a safe environment for operators, in accordance with the risk assessment for the application.
The integration of collaborative robots has expanded the choice and type of applications for which robotics can now be used. It is not a question of which is best, industrial or collaborative robotics, but what is best for the application.
Advice
The choice has only become more difficult due to the possibilities, so it is good to ask the right questions when making this choice. Are you curious whether a robot can improve your production process and if so, which robot you should choose! Then feel free to contact us and we will look together at what the best solution is.
info@engineeringshop.nl / 0229-714212
