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MACHINE CONTROL
FEATURE
adding industrial saFety to tablet control
Tablets are increasingly being used in industrial automation applications. But with safety
essential – and regulations changing – IDEC has introduced Safety Commander. Rachael Morling attended the launch to find out more
U
se of handheld tablets is increasing – not only by consumers but also in the workplace. In fact due to their easy-to-
understand displays and touch panels that enable easy operation, commercially available tablet devices are being used for machinery and equipment in manufacturing scenarios. Added to this, with the growing popularity
of collaborative robots (cobots) and AGV/AMRs (automated guided vehicles/autonomous mobile robots), general-purpose tablets with high expressive power, excellent operability, and relatively low cost, are increasingly being used in place of conventional teaching pendants. Traditional teaching pendants have been widely used for teaching industrial robots for decades. The challenge, however, is the safety of
tablet operation. Risk reduction in the field is essential, so there is a growing demand for safety devices such as emergency stop switches and 3-position enabling switches. In fact the ISO 10218 series of international
HT4P is designed for 10-13in tablets
standards for industrial robots and robot systems, which are scheduled for revision, will incorporate the contents of ISO/TS 15066, the technical specification for collaborative robots, and will require the use of new safety functions and safety devices for many industrial robots – including collaborative robots. According to IDEC, these new safety
requirements and control functions can be solved by adopting its new ‘Safety Commander’.
saFety Features
Safety Commander is designed to add safety features to tablets used on the production floor. There are currently two models available: • HT3P type for tablets with 8in to 11in screens launched in 2021, incorporating the required E-Stop and 3-position enabling switch, all of which are mounted ergonomically. • The latest model
is the HT4P type (for 10 to 13in tablets) with additional features. In its basic format, this includes the emergency stop switch and a 3-position enabling
switch. However other buttons and joysticks can be equipped as options, providing more
control features for the user and
their application. Safety Commander’s
applications include teaching
industrial robots, operation control of large equipment and machinery, control of automobile production lines and conveyor lines, control of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, chip mounters, food
machinery, packaging machinery and so on, and manual control of AGV/AMR, etc.
APEM Components cost-eFFective control
Safety Commander is a cost-effective alternative to dedicated teaching pendants. According to IDEC, the HT4P answers the requests from users who need to install emergency stop switches, 3-position enabling switches and, most importantly, add other mechanical switches depending on the application – such as mechanical pushbuttons, a key selector switch or even a joystick. The users add their tablet and their solution is safe, with good interoperability. In fact the HT4P was
developed as a product that can easily add an emergency stop switch and a 3-position enabling switch to tablets on the market. It can be used with a hand strap or shoulder strap for stable operation, and has a wired LAN communication system that can be used safely even in environments where Wi-Fi is not available.
eu.idec.com Features at a glance
The HT4P is equipped with a slide mechanism and designed to be easily attached to tablets. Once installed, the tablet can be secured with a lock that prevents accidental removal. The ergonomic grip structure of the Safety
Commander and the placement of the enabling switches make it easy to hold and operate the tablet. In addition, the rotating grip allows the tablet to be set and operated in portrait or landscape, or in the direction desired for operation. The HT4P model is equipped with the
safety-compliant emergency stop switch and 3-position enabling switch as standard, allowing the robot or equipment to be stopped at any time. In addition, illuminated pushbutton switches, key selector switches, and joysticks can be installed as options. The HT4P is equipped with a USB/LAN
converter so that tablet operations can be exchanged over a more reliable wired LAN. In addition, with built-in USB Power available, the tablet is always ready to be powered. Finally, HT4P has a robustness rating of
1.2m drop resistance and an IP54 protection structure for water splash, dust, etc.
SEPTEMBER 2023 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 53
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