New Kawasaki intelligent robot safety system opens up Human Machine Interface (HMI) opportunities
A new intelligent safety system from Kawasaki Robotics provides operators with less restrictive and safer access to robot systems. Cubic-S is a motion monitoring safety unit which has been awarded TüV Certification to EN ISO 13848-1 performance level d/category 3.
Cubic –S uses dual CPUs that are independent from the robot’s control CPU to monitor speed and position. A total of eight individual functions allow safety zones to be easily programmed without the need for difficult to adjust and maintain zone limit switches.
The monitoring functions of Cubic-S, used with external hardware such as pressure mats or light guards, allow human machine interfaces (HMI) to be established. Typically this could allow human intervention for inspection of a component while remaining gripped by the robot still under power.
By restricting the robot’s work space to its programmed operational area, Cubic-S provides the opportunity to save space on the factory floor. Additional in-cell safety equipment can also be reduced as Cubic –S functionality integrates into robot programmes to allow locations of peripheral equipment and operation to be considered.
The Motion Area Monitoring function allows for individual and specific boundaries to be programmed which can be enabled or disabled by inputs. Typical uses for Motion Area Monitoring would include operator access to one side of a working envelope while a robot continued to operate on the other side.
Axis Monitoring allows the setting of predefined axis motion limits while Speed Monitoring shuts the robot down if predefined speeds are exceeded. Out of limits on Axis, Speed and Motion Monitoring causes the robot to stop automatically with power off the motors.
Additional functions include Stop Monitoring – shuts down the system if an axis moves that should be stopped, Tool Orientation Monitoring – shuts down the robot if the tool, such as a laser, leaves a predefined area, Protective Stop – allows optional stop conditions when used with safety devices such as light curtains or mats.
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Ref: Ka-015-A
Issue date: October 2012
Photography and graphics:
Contact: Katiel@jonoliver.com for high resolution image file.
Issued by:
Katie Lees, Jon Oliver Communication Ltd. +44-(0)1902-757115
Further information:
Jim Carr, UK Sales and Marketing Manager, Kawasaki Robotics UK Ltd
Unit 4, Easter Court, Europa Boulevard, Warrington WA5 7ZB
Tel +44 (0)1925 713000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting email: sales@kawasakirobotuk.com
Visit our web site: www.kawasakirobot.co.uk
Notes to editors:
Kawasaki Robotics (UK) Ltd is the UK robotics division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Japan.
Based in Warrington, Kawasaki Robotics (UK) Ltd occupies a 15,000 Sq. Ft. Building. Its location provides easy access to the main motorway network and is at the centre of its customer base.
The facility centralises all the sales and customer support operations, with areas for customer demonstrations, training, robot test and integration and a large area for stock machines. Over 1,800 machines are now operating in a wide range of industries and applications throughout the UK.
Operating through a network of system partners, automation integrators and also supplying direct to end users, Kawasaki Robotics (UK) Ltd offers experience in the widest range of industry sectors.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries introduced its first industrial robot into the Japanese domestic market in 1969 and since then has developed into a world leader in the manufacture of industrial robots. Renowned world-wide for quality and technology in all its engineering systems and products, this philosophy is continued throughout the Kawasaki Robotics divisions.
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