Robotics safety issues for human welfare in an automated manufacturing system

Abstract

The high degree of automation, that until recently was reserved for mass production only, is applied now, with the aid of robots and computer, also to small batches. This requires a change from hard automation in the production line to a flexible manufacturing system which can be more readily rearranged to handle new market requirements. Safety is an important factor in design for robots working in this manufacturing environment. The issue of robot safety in an automated manufacturing system deals with the design of a reliable control system to prevent malfunctions and operator’s safety. Industrial robots have a wide range of potential applications in manufacturing systems because they are flexible and programmable themselves. Different robot configuration generates different characteristic working envelop shapes .The design of the work station layout and training of plant personnel are important. Robot application designers need to give more careful thought to persons who work within the confines of the robot workspace. The worker and the operator safety is the most important concern. The discussion follows the practical sequence in which one must think when designing a piece of automatically acting equipment. This paper highlights the safety issues of robots for human welfare in an automated manufacturing system.