Robotic workstations improve the functioning of many aspects of companies across various industries. They contribute to increased production efficiency, maintaining consistently high product quality, and better employee safety. The latter aspect, in particular, makes it crucial to properly design and implement the selected systems and devices. Learn what to pay attention to in order to ensure maximum safety at robotic workstations.
Robotic Workstations in a Company
Robotic workstations are used in companies in industries such as automotive, food, and pharmaceuticals. However, this is not an exhaustive list. Each robotic workstation is individually designed and tailored to the needs of a specific company. They can be used for tasks such as welding, palletizing, milling, welding, or painting. They are integrated with systems and devices already in use within the company. Employees are responsible for supervising the machines and inputting the appropriate settings. Both individual devices and fully automated production lines can be utilized. Production lines design is a service that specialists at Taskoprojekt S.A. can provide for your company.
The Impact of Robotic Workstations on Safety
The essence of the process known as workstations robotization is the use of devices in areas where work is most demanding and potentially dangerous for personnel. Robots are employed, for example, in tasks involving heavy loads or high temperatures. One of the main objectives of robotic automation is, therefore, to improve employee safety. Staff do not need to be present during activities such as welding or milling. Mobile palletizing robots, on the other hand, carry heavy loads on behalf of humans, so the role of employees is limited to supervising and programming the machines.
Robotic automation of processes will be safe if you choose solutions of sufficiently high quality and tailored to your needs. An individually prepared project is necessary, taking into account factors such as the type of products being manufactured, the devices already in use, and the layout and size of the available space. Therefore, it is not advisable to seek savings at all costs. You should rely on specialists with appropriate experience, who will propose the best solution, create a customized project and machine prototypes, and implement all solutions on-site within the given production area.
Types of Safeguards for Robotic Workstations
A robotic production line or a machine implemented in the automation and robotics process must meet appropriate norms and standards to ensure safety. Machines are required to comply with the European Union’s Machinery Directive, which sets safety standards regulating their market approval. An essential safeguard is therefore meeting these requirements already at the production stage, before the equipment reaches the client. A CE certificate serves as confirmation that the equipment complies with EU standards. In addition, the Machinery Directive is another important legal regulation in this context.
Regarding specific machine safeguards, several main types of solutions can be distinguished. The primary reference document for this information is the EN 60204-1 standard. Individual machines must therefore be properly fenced and marked. The movements of certain robots should be safely restricted. In the event of a machine failure, there should be the possibility of emergency shutdown. Additionally, the operational status of robots should be indicated by appropriate visual or auditory signals. By choosing a custom design from a specialized company, your enterprise can be confident that all safeguards and markings are properly selected and implemented in compliance with the law, while also providing the necessary level of safety for employees.
