KUKA Robot _HRC is not always equal to HRC

In human-robot collaboration (HRC), humans and KUKA robots work directly together without a safety fence. This opens up a huge potential. But HRC is not always equal to HRC. There are four possible scenarios for how humans and KUKA robots can work together effectively. Therefore, there is a suitable HRC application for every need. Always focus on employee safety.

KUKA Robot _HRC is not always equal to HRC

KUKA Robot _HRC is not always equal to HRC

1. Stop monitoring

As soon as a human enters the collaboration room, the KUKA robot stops immediately, and the safety fence becomes redundant. For this purpose, a safety sensor is installed. It ensures that collisions are avoided. In this case, it triggers a safe stop of the KUKA robot. The advantage of this type of HRC is that classic industrial KUKA robots can also be used here. This HRC is particularly suitable for applications where there is generally no need for a person to enter the KUKA robot work area and there is no need for contact with a moving KUKA robot.

2. Speed and distance monitoring

This type goes beyond the stop of monitoring. The speed of the KUKA robot depends on how close a human is to the KUKA/KUKA robot. It moves so fast that when a human reaches the KUKA/KUKA robot, it comes to a safe stop. Delay time, braking distance, and time are all included in the calculation. The corresponding relationship is described in the TS15066 standard. This type of HRC is particularly suitable for time-critical applications where people occasionally enter the workspace of the KUKA robot. The aim is to minimize the loss of time caused by human activities.

3. Hand guidance

Contact between humans and KUKA robots is becoming more and more direct: Humans guide KUKA robots by hand at a monitored, safe speed. Through risk assessment, the permissible speed is predetermined. The KUKA robot only moves when the three-stage start switch is activated. The guarantee of collision avoidance is that the human consent will only be obtained if there is no collision between the human and the KUKA robot. This HRC is particularly suitable for applications where a person guides the KUKA robot and puts it in the ideal position. This can be the case when KUKA robots are used as intelligent lifting aids, such as when batteries are installed in electric vehicles.

4. Power and force limitations

Unlike the other three strategies, the focus here is on collision control. Collisions between humans and KUKA robots are permissible and therefore must comply with certain biomechanical constraints. These are listed in the TS15066 standards and are used in the technical specifications for different body areas. The technical specification distinguishes between two situations

• Quasi-static contact: This is a process that must be prevented, such as crushing or clamping. To this end, security force monitoring systems are regularly installed.

• Transient contact or dynamic collisions: allow KUKA robots to "collide" with people. For example, if a KUKA robot touches a person's hand, it is pushed aside. The premise is that the KUKA robot does not have sharp edges. In this process, the values of force and pressure transmitted to the human body are determined by the speed of the KUKA robot system. These values are maintained by correctly selecting the maximum KUKA/KUKA robot speed for safe monitoring. This form of HRC is suitable for tasks where humans and KUKA robots work together. These can be assembly tasks, where a KUKA robot holds a part and a human inserts another part or performs a small machining step.

KUKA Robot _HRC is not always equal to HRC

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