Precautions for Teaching and Programming
The following items are safety precautions for personnel performing teaching or programming.
WARNING
- Incorrectly configured safety functions may cause serious safety problems.
- The interlocks of the safeguards must be functioning when performing work. Performing work in a state where the switch does not turn ON or OFF, such as if it is covered with tape (in a state where the switch is disabled), is extremely hazardous because the safety function of the safeguard input will not be activated. This may cause serious safety problems.
- Be sure to anchor the Manipulator before turning on the power or operating it. Turning on the power or operating the Manipulator while it is not anchored may cause the Manipulator to fall over, which is extremely hazardous and may result in serious injury to operators and/or severe damage.
- Persons who have not undergone training must never approach a Manipulator that is turned on. Also, do not enter the work envelope. If the Manipulator is turned on, it may make unexpected movements even if it appears to be stopped, which may result in serious safety problems. Also, safe work procedures should be established and followed to prevent hazards due to unexpected movement of the Manipulator or operator mishandling of the Manipulator.
- Before beginning full operation, make sure that the safety devices such as the emergency stop switch and the interlocked guard switch operate. Operation without the switches functioning properly may result in the safety functions failing to operate during an emergency, which is extremely hazardous and may result in serious injury to operators and/or severe damage.
- The mode selector key switch of the Teach Pendant does not comply with functional safety.
- During teach points and start-up work, the robot system should be in teach mode, with the emergency stop switch ready to be pressed at any time. Mistaken operations or the like could cause the Manipulator to make an unexpected movement, which is extremely hazardous and may cause serious safety problem.
- When working inside the safety barriers, use the teaching operation mode (low speed, low power).
CAUTION
Whenever possible, only one person should operate the robot system. If it is necessary to operate with more than one person, ensure that all personnel communicate with each other and take all necessary safety precautions. Also, when working close to the robot, take safety precautions such as assigning a supervisor.
SCARA robot
When pressing the brake release switch, watch for the shaft descending or rotating under the weight of the hand. The arm falling may result in hands or fingers getting caught or Manipulator damage or breakdown.
6-Axis robot
- Normally, release the brakes of joints one at a time. If the brakes of two or more joints must be released simultaneously due to unavoidable reasons, use extreme care. Releasing the brakes of multiple joints simultaneously may cause the arm to fall in an unexpected direction, resulting in hands or fingers getting caught or damage or failure of the robot.
- Be careful of the arm falling when releasing the brake. While the brake release switch is being pressed, the robot arm will fall by its own weight. The arm falling may result in hands or fingers getting caught or robot damage or breakdown.
- Before releasing the brake using the software, be sure to keep the emergency stop switch in an easily accessible location so that you can immediately press it if necessary. Otherwise, if the emergency stop switch is not easily accessible, you will be unable to immediately stop the arm falling due to an erroneous operation, which could lead to robot damage or breakdown.