Robot safety fences ensure the safety of the working environment by preventing direct contact between the machines and the employees. You can find out some of the most important requirements here.
Unfortunately, the technical requirements for robot safety fences are not just in one, but in several standards. The most important are:
- EN ISO 14120 specifies general mechanical requirements, e.g. impact resistance and fasteners
- EN ISO 13857 specifies the safety distances against reaching danger points
- EN ISO 10218-2 does not set its own requirements for robotic safety fences, but refers to the above-mentioned standards and specifies some exceptions, e.g. for material entry points
Robot safety fences are first and foremost pure access protection (see here for impact resistance capacity of hazards from the work area). They shall be made of a material that is suitable for the intended use. Robot safety fences are among the so-called fixed guards.
Dimensions and mounting
The dimensions are determined according to the safety distances from EN ISO 13857. The minimum height against climbing over is 1400 mm. At the same time, no danger points shall be accessible. Therefore, robotic safety fences are usually 2000 mm high or higher. The higher the fences, the less over grip distance shall be taken into account (see picture). From a height of 2700 mm, there is no longer any need to take into account a over grip distance.
To protect against crawling, the distance from the ground to the lower edge of the fence panel shall not exceed 180 mm. Here, too, no danger points shall be accessible. Otherwise, the gap shall be reduced.
The fastening of the fence posts, frames and fence elements shall be secured against unintentional loosening. At the same time, so-called captive fasteners shall be used. The fasteners shall remain attached to the safeguard when loosened. This requirement aims to reduce risks from the loss of fasteners, e.g. when removing fence panels during maintenance work. This is because fence panels whose fastening screws have been lost may not be properly reattached. The fasteners, e.g. screws, may only be loosened with tools.
Insight into the danger area
If visibility of the work process is required, fixed guards shall be designed and constructed to provide adequate visibility. This can eliminate the need to bypass them (EN ISO 14120). In addition, viewing windows shall be provided, e.g. in cabins, to enable proper acknowledgment of access protection.
The impact resistance of robot safety fences can be found here
