Safety Sensor Technologies Enabling Closer Human- Robot Collaboration Tom Knauer
Changing The Paradigm Standards plus Technology are initiating rapid changes in safety sensing and enabling much closer, safer and cost-effective human - robot interaction Source: Omron STI
Changing The Paradigm Past: Separate the human from robot Present: Improved human access to robot Future: Close human-robot interaction
Past Separate the human from robot
Safety in the Past Hard guards/fences Stop upon access Reduce productivity Safe, but not 100% reliable High cost of guards and floor space Expensive to change layout
Separate Human From Robot Source: Omron STI
Separate Human From Robot Concerns: Productivity Safety Cost of guarding Large footprint Hard to change Source: Omron STI
More Recent Safety Sensing Safety plane guarding (Safety Light Curtains) Reduced fencing Easier access Stop upon access Slightly improved productivity Safe, but not 100% reliable Expensive to change layout
Separate Human From Robot Concerns: Productivity Safety Cost of guarding Large floor space Hard to change Source: Omron STI
Present Improved human access to robot
Safety Sensing Today Flexible zone sensors (Safety Laser Scanners) Reduced fencing Easier access Programmable/zones Higher productivity with high safety Easier to change layout Zone 1 Zone 4 Zone 3 Zone 2
Improved Human Access To Robot Concerns: Cost of guarding Productivity Floor space Ease of change Two-dimensional Source: Omron STI
Safety Today Despite recent innovations and standards changes, many companies still operate with the misperception of safety vs. productivity vs. &
& Safety Today & In The Future Re-shoring/ manufacturing closer to the point of consumption New/Changing Standards New Technologies/ Innovations Changes in the Workforce Changes in the way to manufacture Liberty Mutual and OSHA indicate a payback of >$3 for every $1 invested in safety: OSHA reported that >40% CFOs cited productivity as the top benefit of an effective workplace safety program The Aberdeen Group found that The Bestin-Class are better equipped to create a safer working environment for their employees but are also able to gain a competitive edge in the market place New safety technologies enabling greater productivity will improve the payback Opportunity To Innovate Sources: http://bit.ly/2dcrccl, http://bit.ly/1or6shw, http://bit.ly/2czg6xw
Future Close human-robot interaction
Standards + Technology Changes in technology and parallel changes in standards are enabling innovation and rapid advances in human - machine interaction ISO 12100 EN ISO 13849-1&2 IEC 62061 ISO 10218/ ANSI RIA 15.06 ISO/TS-15066 IEC/EN 61946 RIA TR R15.306-2016 Source: Omron STI
Enabling Human-Machine Interaction Recent technologies: Robot controllers Safety controllers Networking Sensors: zones, 3D Connected closely to standards Source: Omron Corporation
Going Forward Robot+Input+Logic+Ouput+Safety Closely connected system Advanced sensors Integrated control Flexible solutions Source: Omron STI
Restricted + Safeguarded Space Safety rated soft axis creates restricted space Advanced safety sensors create safeguarded space Restricted space + Safeguarded space Productivity and safety Source: Omron STI
Collaborative Robots Four modes: Power & Force Limiting Hand Guiding Safety Rated Monitored Stop Speed & Separation Monitoring Future 3D Sensing Advanced Safety Laser Scanner Simple - Mats Source: Omron STI
Speed & Separation Monitoring Robot adjusts speed depending on position of operator Safety Rated Monitored Stop if operator comes too close to robot Stop 25% 50% 75% 100% Stop Source: Omron STI
Advanced 3D Safety Sensors Technologies: Vision, Laser Scanner Reduce/eliminate fencing Easy access Only stop when necessary High productivity and high safety Easy to change layout Support Safety Rated Monitored Stop and Speed & Separation Monitoring
Anticipatory Control Robot control and sensor closely coordinate to allow robot to adjust operation based on anticipated operator actions Source: Omron Corporation
Mobile Robot + Robot Arm Requires specialized sensors and control Many applications already being realized Integration of nonsafety functions Future 3D sensors add capability Source: Omron Adept Technologies, Inc.
Other Safety Sensing Technologies Robot Skin Tactile sensors Capacitive Proximity sensors Ultrasonic Foam/cushion Source: ASO GmbH
Cost Near-Term Human-Robot Interaction Advanced Safety Sensors Support Speed & Separation Monitoring and Safety Rated Monitored Stop modes A better fit for traditional robots (large, high speed, high payload) Compliment Power & Force Limiting functions as PFL robots increase speed & payload Power & Force Limited PFL + Sensors (SSM, SRS) Traditional Speed/Payload/Repeatability
Future Human-Robot Interaction Force Field safety sensing Eliminate fencing Very easy access Guarded zone moves with hazard Distinguish between human and robot Tightly integrated with robot control Only stop when necessary Very high productivity and high safety
Final Thoughts Safety sensing innovations facilitate much closer and safer human-robot interaction Improved productivity (collaborative modes, easier access, less stoppage) More effective use of workspace Easier setup and modification Simpler, more effective, less expensive safety Source: Omron STI
Thank you!
Tom Knauer knauert89@yahoo.com