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SYSTEM INTEGRATION

Know where to start?

ROBOTICS

INDUSTRIAL OR COLLABORATIVE? THIS IS THE QUESTION EVERYONE IS ASKING, WITH THE
DEMARCATION LINE BETWEEN THE TWO OPTIONS NOT AS CLEAR AS YOU MIGHT THINK. IT ALL
DEPENDS ON THE SETTING IN WHICH THE MACHINE OPERATES, HOW OPERATORS NEED TO INTERACT
WITH THE ROBOT AND ITS MAIN FUNCTIONS. MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC’S BARRY WELLER LOOKS AT HOW
TO IDENTIFY WHAT TYPE OF ROBOT BEST SUITS YOUR APPLICATION AND HOW TO INTEGRATE IT.

he first question that companies interested in
automating their processes should ask is: what
do we want to achieve? The answer to this will
Tdetermine the role and type of robot needed.
Consequently, conducting a comprehensive risk
assessment will shed light on the safety requirements.
For example, if speeding up operations is the main
objective behind deploying a robotic solution, conventional
industrial robots, such as Mitsubishi Electric’s MELFA RV
articulated arm and RH series SCARA robots, are quite
likely to be the most suitable option. As the application
will dictate, these robots move at high speed which means
they are suitable for applications where workspace is to be
shared with human operators only by adopting additional
safety provisions. The options to integrate them are to
construct physical safety perimeter guards or implement
systems that allow automated speed control when
humans approach the robot working area.
Conversely, if the main goal is assisting employees in
their activities, for example by passing or holding parts,
the application would be considered collaborative. As a There are different industrial operations whose risk standard industrial robots operating in a cooperative way,
result, any conventional physical separation between assessment would support the use of cobots, for example, coupled with additional safety features such as physical
humans and robots would obstruct the application. In this if the robot is required to work alongside the human as guards or safety light curtains and scanners. More
case, the ISO/TS 15066:2016 standard supports the part of the assembly process to pass objects to operators. precisely, businesses can implement high-speed, high-
development of suitable safety measures, as highlighted Here the risk of a collision between the two is high and so payload industrial robots, such as the MELFA RV
by the risk assessment. An example of a robot designed for this application would fall into the category of power and articulated arm robot, equipped with a MELFA SafePlus
collaborative applications is Mitsubishi Electric’s MELFA force limiting. Features such as safe torque range to detect safety system from Mitsubishi Electric. This means
RV series Assista articulated arm robot. the impact and prevent injury are needed. humans and robots can work safely and in harmony.
The guidelines indicate different types of collaborative There are situations where the use of robots would
applications which include safety-rated monitored stop, require additional safety measures. For example, if Making the right choice
speed and separation monitoring, hand guiding as well as potentially harmful chemicals, sharp edges or extremely As technology evolves, the demarcation line between
power and force limiting. This is where the grey area hot items need to be handled, the robot would need to be industrial and collaborative robotic applications also
between the two types of robot starts to appear. With the enclosed by physical safety perimeter guards to protect changes. The most important consideration when
increase in safety options now available, industrial robots human operators. Because of this, the use of a implementing a robotic system is to ensure the system
can also achieve many of the requirements needed in a conventional robot is likely to be the right choice for these meets the needs of the specific application and delivers
collaborative application. applications. against the user requirement specification. The system
In other situations humans may need to infrequently must achieve both the throughput required and also
Industrial or collaborative robot? enter a robot’s workspace to briefly interact with the operate in a safe environment for operators in line with the
Designed to work alongside humans collaborative robots application or there could be a limited area of interaction. risk assessment for the application.
or ‘cobots’, can provide a safe solution. However, there are These systems will run as fast as possible under normal The inclusion of collaborative robots has widened the
some obvious caveats. operation and only slow down when there is a risk of choice and the type of applications that robotics can now
The term collaborative, as specified by ISO/TS collision. Again this would suggest that a conventional be used for. It is not a question of which is best, industrial
15066:2016, actually refers to systems or applications industrial robot would be right for this application due to or collaborative robotics but which is best for the
where automatically operated robots share the same its ability to operate at high speeds in normal safe application. With its wealth of experience and proven
workspace with humans. This means that robots for operating conditions. track record, the robotics team at Mitsubishi Electric
collaborative applications, just like any other type of robot, As suggested, the most effective way to make such helps businesses find the right solution..
still require a risk assessment. applications fast, safe and reliable would be to utilise MORE INFORMATION: gb3a.mitsubishielectric.com

June 2021 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY 31