1. Product Summary

Industrial Robot Safety Systems are comprehensive, engineered solutions designed to mitigate risks and ensure safe interaction between humans, robots, and machinery in automated work environments. Moving beyond simple physical guards, these integrated systems employ a multi-layered, “defense-in-depth” strategy that combines physical barriers, presence-sensing technologies, collaborative safety features, and certified control logic. The primary objective is to prevent accidents, enforce safe work procedures, and ensure compliance with stringent international standards (e.g., ISO 10218, ISO/TS 15066), thereby protecting personnel, optimizing productivity, and safeguarding capital investment in automation.

2. Product Description

An effective Industrial Robot Safety System is not a single product but a synergistic integration of hardware and software tailored to a specific robotic application’s risk assessment. It creates a safe envelope around hazardous automation by implementing protective measures at multiple levels.

The system’s foundation is Perimeter Guarding, which establishes a fixed physical boundary using robust safety fencing (in yellow or orange), gates, and barriers. Access through this perimeter is strictly controlled by Safety Interlocks on gates, which send a signal to safely stop the robot before entry is possible.

For more flexible or larger areas, Presence-Sensing Devices form the second layer. This includes Safety Light Curtains that create an invisible sensing screen, and Area Scanners (LIDAR) that monitor defined warning and stop zones on the floor, allowing for dynamic safeguarding around mobile robots or complex cells.

For applications requiring closer human-robot interaction (HRC), Collaborative Safety Technologies are applied. These can involve Power and Force Limiting (PFL) features intrinsic to cobots, Safety-Rated Soft Axes and Zones defined in the robot controller, and Tactile Sensing Skins on the robot itself.

All these devices are connected to a Safety Controller (PLC) or a Safety-rated Robot Controller that processes signals according to a pre-defined Safety Function (e.g., Safe Stop, Speed & Separation Monitoring). This logic must achieve a required Performance Level (PL) per ISO 13849 to ensure reliable risk reduction.

Core System Advantages:

• Comprehensive Risk Reduction: Addresses hazards through multiple, redundant layers of protection (physical, sensory, logical), significantly lowering the probability of injury.

• Operational Flexibility & Productivity: Advanced systems like area scanners and collaborative modes enable safe human access for tasks like teaching, maintenance, and part loading without full system shutdowns.

• Regulatory Compliance & Liability Mitigation: Provides a verifiable, standards-based approach to safety, which is critical for insurance, audits, and meeting OSHA, ANSI/RIA R15.06, and CE marking requirements.

• Scalability & Integration: Modular components allow the system to be designed for a single robot cell or scaled to protect an entire flexible manufacturing system (FMS) or mobile robot fleet.

• Enhanced Safety Culture: Clearly marked safe zones and intelligent systems increase operator awareness and confidence around automated equipment.

Key System Components & Layers:

1. Physical Perimeter Guarding: Fixed fences, barriers, gates with interlocks.

2. Access Control & Presence Detection: Safety light curtains, laser area scanners, safety mats, 3D vision systems.

3. Collaborative & Inherent Safety Design: Power & Force Limited (PFL) cobots, safety-rated monitored speed, hand guiding devices.

4. Safety Control & Logic: Safety PLCs, safety relays, safety-rated network protocols (CIP Safety, PROFIsafe), enabling Safe Stop (Category 0, 1), Safe Speed, and SSM functions.

3. Product Details