Rank: New forum user 
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Just wondering does anybody know what regulations apply for the management and safe operation of robots (in the pharma industry), the robot in question would move on an open track (approx 10 m -15m in length) and perform 2 individual loading tasks at opposite ends of this track. Putting a cage around the track will not work as the robot needs to access the empty pallets located on one side of the track and on the other side will need to pick product to be loaded via access ports. Putting a cage around the robot itself will not work as the operation of the robotic arms will then be constrained. It would appear that the options available to investigate would be the combination of operator procedure plus some type of beam technology which would immediately shut down all robotic operation as soon as the beam is broken
From experience does anybody know if there are better options than described above and what Irish/EU legislation covers the operation of robots.
Thanks,
Caithriona.
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Rank: Super forum user
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We had similar technology in the paper industry to pick up very narrow rolls (weighing 300kgs), carry it 15 metres and store on pallets - before repeating the process till the pallet was full as ordered.
The operation was fully enclosed and used gate contactors as well as ligh beams. gates were opened to load the empty pallets with the system shut down.
In our situation no other way was identified as the dangers of automatic starting, heavy machinery and heavy loads were high risk in our minds.
I would suggest PUWER would be your main guidance - and possibly LOLER?
Sorry - not much help Im afraid
David
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Rank: Super forum user
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No specific UK legislation on robots other than PUWER.
But I seem to remember the HSE had a guidance doc on robots but all my guidance is still in storage. Try the HSE website.
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Rank: Forum user
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I think you're on the right track. Go look at the Irwin Sick safety laser scanner. The link is: http://www.sick.com/grou...fety_laser_scanners.aspx I've seen them on various applications and been impressed. Clever bits of kit. (Usual disclaimers apply. Other people may make equivalent stuff...!)
Robots are basically no different in EU legislation terms from a bacon slicer or any other sort of machine. They are work equipment so two strands of Directives come together. There's the trad H&S "user" safety stuff (sorry, can't remember the title of the Irish legislation this late in the evening) but there's also the product safety strand, which is the CE marking bit. If you have access to standards, go look at PD5304. It might have an Irish equivalent but I'd be surprised if there's much difference bar legislative references.
Who is the designer of this whizzo line? Its safety is their problem, long before it gets installed and bolted down. (Sorry if that's you!)
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Rank: Super forum user
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The HSE document you need is HSG43, which is briefly described here:
http://www.used-robots.com/articles.php?tag=1696
In my limited experience of robots, whatever restriction is placed on its movement within an enclosure must be by hardware stops, not simply software stops.
If you look at the HSE website you will see lots of enforcement against users of robots, and a fair few reports of nasty accidents.
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