WAREHOUSING, HANDLING & STORAGE YOUR GUIDE TO A SAFE MOBILE ROBOT INSTALLATION
Ross Lacy, mobile robot product manager, RARUK Automation Ltd A
safe workplace requires joint effort from the AMR manufacturer, the integrator of the AMR system, and the end user. It is essential that roles and responsibilities between the parties are clarified. The guidelines provided by the European MD help customers and integrators ensure a safe workspace as the MD takes into account both the AMR and the full AMR system. By law, it is not required to follow the MD outside EU/EOS, but it is recommended to do so as it describes the current state-of-the-art for safe AMR installations.
The manufacturer of the AMR must provide a vehicle that is designed to be commissioned in a safe AMR system and provide adequate information for integration and operation. This means that the manufacturer is responsible for specifying intended use and limitations of the AMR, which is typically to transport materials without a driver in industrial environments. The manufacturer must CE-mark the AMR according to intended use through compliance to safety standards for AGVs, comply to complementary standards to address all risks, and provide integrated safety functions to address hazards expected in the intended use. In addition to designing a safe robot, the manufacturer must also provide adequate documentation, including instructions regarding commissioning of the AMR into an AMR system, operating instructions for operation and maintenance of the AMR, and a list of identified residual risks for the AMR. Ultimately, the manufacturer is responsible for providing a safe AMR out of the box with all the required documentation.
At the time of installation, the responsibility moves to the integrator of the system. The integrator of the AMR system (which may be the end user if they are integrating the robot themselves) is responsible for providing an installation where all hazards are addressed or identified and providing adequate information for operation. Because AMRs can be programmed to move throughout a building, factory, or warehouse, the integrator who commissions the AMR must anticipate potential safety hazards and program the robot to act appropriately in compliance with safety standards. Commissioning also extends to the top module. If the robot is commissioned outside of those limitations, the integrator (or user) must incorporate additional protections to ensure that safety standards are met for the full
30 FEBRUARY 2020 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
robot application. The integrator must therefore specify the intended use and limits of the AMR system and make a risk assessment of the AMR system in the light of the AMR manufacturer’s specifications, intended use, and limitations. As the application changes from an AMR to an AMR system, the integrator must CE-mark the AMR system according to the new intended use, and provide documentation consisting of operating instructions for operation and maintenance of the AMR system and a list of identified residual risks from risk assessment for the AMR system.
Once the AMR system has been deployed, the end user is responsible for setting up and following procedures for operation and maintenance of the AMR system. The end user must ensure that the intended use and limitations are met, and set up procedures for inspections and maintenance for the AMR system, including warning and markings. The end user should define safe operating procedures for operators and define training for operators, other staff, and visitors for safe operation.
This process seems complicated. Therefore, MiR has made guidelines for integrators as well as end-users to ensure a correct commissioning of the robots.
The state-of-the-art in the design and implementation of mobile robots is changing rapidly, and standards organizations are challenged to keep up. Compliance with current standards developed for logistics systems is still relevant, however. Many factors must be taken into account when deploying not just an AMR but an AMR system, which is often working in many different locations of a facility and in different applications. Users and integrators should expect guidance from robot manufacturers in order to reap the benefits of AMRs while ensuring workers’ safety. At the same time, users must ensure that chosen AMR manufacturers are up to date with current and future safety standards and laws not limited to the AMR itself.
Documentation for safe robot commissioning, including how users and integrators can document compliance, are available on request from RARUK Automation Ltd.
RARuk
www.rarukautomation.com
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