Meeting Robotic Integration Challenges: Safety and Compliance
Successful robotic integration is not only about enhancing productivity and efficiency, it’s also about keeping employees safe. This means ensuring every system operates in accordance with the latest regulatory standards. As industrial robotics technology continues to advance, so do the requirements for safety compliance that are designed to protect workers and operations.
Adapting to Updated Safety Standards
The international safety standard ISO 10218 has recently undergone significant revisions to better address modern safety challenges in robotic systems. This standard is divided into two parts:
- Part 1: Safety Requirements for Industrial Robots (Manufacturers)
- Part 2: Safety Requirements for Industrial Robot Applications and Robot Cells (System Integrators)
Both parts have undergone extensive revisions to address the latest safety challenges and technological advancements. The following is a summary of some of the key changes and how Remtec has responded.
Key Safety Enhancements in ISO 10218 Revisions
The revised ISO 10218 standards reflect new and emerging technologies and practices in the industrial robotics space. Some of the most important updates include:
Clarified Functional Safety Requirements
The new standards provide more detailed and precise functional safety requirements to mitigate risks effectively.
Remtec Response: We have integrated these clarified guidelines into our system designs, ensuring that every robot and robot cell minimizes potential hazards and aligns with best practices for functional safety.
Collaborative Robot Applications
The updated standards now include consolidated safety requirements for collaborative robot (cobot) applications. These guidelines, previously found in ISO/TS 15066, are now part of ISO 10218.
Remtec Response: We have updated our cobot solutions to reflect these integrated requirements, providing safer, more reliable collaboration between humans and robots in shared workspaces.
Safety for Manual Load/Unload Procedures and End-Effectors
The latest revisions incorporate safety guidance for manual load/unload procedures and the use of end-effectors (EOAT). This was previously covered in technical reports TR 20218-1 and TR 20218-2.
Remtec Response: We have reviewed and updated our end-of-arm tooling designs and processes to meet these new integrated safety guidelines, ensuring safer handling of materials and interactions with robot systems.
New Robot Classifications and Test Methodologies
ISO 10218 now features new robot classifications, each with specific functional safety requirements and corresponding test methodologies.
Remtec Response: We have updated our risk assessment and validation processes to align with these classifications, ensuring that every robot system we deliver is tested and verified to meet the applicable safety requirements.
Cybersecurity and Industrial Robot Safety
A crucial addition to the updated ISO 10218 standards is the inclusion of cybersecurity requirements. As robots become increasingly connected, cybersecurity threats can impact not only data but also physical safety.
Remtec Response: We have implemented strong cybersecurity measures in our robotic solutions to protect against unauthorized access, manipulation, or sabotage that could compromise system safety.
Remtec Commitment to Robotic Integration Safety and Compliance
Remtec Automation systems and integration processes fully comply with these updated safety standards. We have incorporated the latest revisions to ensure that every solution we deliver meets or exceeds industry safety expectations. By staying ahead of regulatory updates and incorporating the latest safety guidelines into our systems, we help our customers achieve safe, efficient, and future-ready robotic operations.
Remtec’s experienced team will assist you with your robotic integration challenges. We will evaluate your existing production process to get the most from existing assets while integrating the latest technologies to move your operation to the next level. Contact us to discuss how Remtec can help you advance your business through robotic automation.
