lab automation safety

Robot interactions
There are two classes of robot, those driven by stepper motors and those that are driven by other types of motor. For those driven by stepper motor, (LABORATORY ROBOTS; e.g. Caliper Twister range, Hamilton Microlab SWAP, Hudson Plate Crane), the robot will probably stop when it hits an object and has very little capability to do serious injury to a user. However they can cause cuts, especially to the head, that although never fatal can be a distressing at the time.

The rest are driven by servo motors, these robots are less likely to stop and have the capability to cause injury (FACTORY ROBOTS; e.g. Mitsubishi, Staubli). It is this category of robots that need to be enclosed for the users safety. The main sources of injury would be facial injury, pinch points and crushing injuries.

Instrument interactions
Most instruments are pretty safe to operate although a great many of them have pinch points of one type or another.

Sample preparation interactions
Possibly one of the major safety areas. Most robotic procedures are handling biohazard materials and therefore best handled in isolation. The basic safety cabinet offers some protection, however some systems need laminar airflow and air filtration.

Users in the robotic areas
Ironically open access to a robotic system is often not good for the system either. Curiosity and the ability to influence a robotic installation makes the system prone to unwanted human interaction. A simple screen or enclosure can stop unwanted human interaction.

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Enclosures & Robot Safety

There are three main types:

Simple screen/Cabinet with uncontrolled access
A Plexiglas screen is put across the front and sides of a normal bench. A physical shield can be offered for laboratory robots. See automate.it safescreen for more details

Screen/Cabinet with controlled access
Required for servo-powered robots. Although a physical barrier is effective and cost effective, this not a legal method of protection in the UK/EEC to protect servo-powered robots. For factory robot based systems, a fully integrated safety system is required to avoid user contact with a moving robot. There are two types, a fully physical barrier (see automate.it safecel for more details) or a light curtain (see automate.it safecel L for more details).

Cabinet with controlled access with laminar flow air/filtration
Required for system that has a servo-powered robot and biohazard materials. This can be achieved by filtering the air and venting unwanted contaminates. The classification of the cabinet is directly related the material to be handled by the automated system.
see automate.it safecel C2 for more details)

Process Analysis & Automation have experience in designing and building automated workcells for all uses. We use specialist contractor for all workcell construction. Workcells can be walk in if required.

More information about our complete range of enclosures ...

paa have designed an integrated safety system that can be incorporated into our range cabinets and enclosures to ensure all aspects of safety are covered and can be CE marked and fully meet international safety regulations.

For physical safety systems, the enclosure has key access and allow the system cabinet doors to be opened for access to teach the robot. For all other operation modes the cabinet doors must be closed and the safety system armed.

For light curtain controlled access, the breaking of the light beam ensures the robot is stationary before the user can touch it.

Red emergency stop mushrooms are supplied for user interaction with the safety system.