Strict regulations apply for the safety of personnel in manufacturing environments. When fast movements are carried out and large forces act, it is necessary to take special safety measures. Typically barriers, e.g. fences that spatially separate people from the machines, are common and relatively easy-to-integrate solutions. However, if mechanical systems cannot be installed or if the work process is influenced by them, contact-free safety concepts such as a light grid or a light curtain can be used. A light curtain forms a close-meshed protective field and, therefore, secures the access to the danger zone.
When Is It Useful and Necessary to Use a Safety Device While Hexapods Are in Operatio six-axis parallel-kinematic positioning systems with a limited workspace that can often be safely integrated into industrial setups. The situation is different for dynamic motion hexapods because of their high speed and acceleration, which can become a hazard for people who work in their immediate workspace. Mainly, this is due to the limited human reaction time to quickly remove endangered body parts from a given danger. When a collision occurs high impulse forces due to mass inertia and crushing of limbs are possible. A safety system can protect people and minimize this risk of injury.
Depending on the version, hexapod controllers feature a motion stop input. The input is used for connecting external hardware (e.g. push buttons or switches) and it deactivates or activates the power supply of the hexapod drives. However, the motion stop socket does not offer any direct safety function in accordance with applicable standards
Post time: Feb-17-2023