Update To ISO 10218-2 Robot Safety Standard
While cobots are often perceived as the "friendly face" of robotics due to their collaborative nature, it's crucial to recognise them as industrial robots requiring serious attention to safety. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is updating its safety standards, ISO 10218-1 and ISO 10218-2, to reflect the technological advancements and growing use of cobots.
These changes aim to align cobot safety standards with those of industrial robots, ensuring safer applications for human-robot collaboration
Key implications of the updated standards
Enhanced Safety Obligations
The updated standards aim to elevate cobot safety to match the stringent requirements of industrial robot safety standards. This shift emphasises the need for manufacturers to meet their safety obligations more comprehensively.
Comprehensive Risk Assessments
Integrators and end-users must conduct thorough risk assessments to identify hazards posed by both the cobot and the application. These assessments should include validation and verification using calibrated force sensors to measure collision forces.
Guarding and Force Limitation
The risk assessment will inform decisions regarding physical or virtual guarding, power and force limitations, or a combination of measures to mitigate risks.
Permissible Force Values
Using a body model and risk assessment, it is necessary to identify potential areas of the body that could be impacted during a collision and validate the permissible force values.
Moving Beyond the "Cobot" Analogy
The updated standards encourage a shift in perspective, urging users and integrators to view cobots as robots designed for collaborative applications, highlighting the importance of adhering to robust safety protocols.
Compliance and Best Practice
CE/UKCA Marking
The harmonisation of the updated standard with the Machinery Directive will support the requirements for CE/UKCA marking.
PUWER Compliance
Demonstrating compliance with the new safety standard is essential for meeting the legal responsibility of the end-user or cobot system integrator under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER).
Audit Trail and Traceability
Manufacturers need to establish a clear audit trail through comprehensive risk assessments, demonstrating their understanding of cobot integration risks, the implementation of control measures, and compliance with the new standard.