Published earlier this year, ISO/TS 15066 are a set of technical specifications and QHSE requirements designed to mitigate risk by providing clear guidelines on how collaborative robots are to be used safely. The more detailed and clearly outlined specifications in ISO/TS 15066 will allow manufacturers to better determine if they have achieved the intent of these safety specifications, and perform better risk assessments.
Building on the requirements laid out by ISO 10218, ISO 15066 provides more specific safety specifications to be applied to the design of collaborative robots, such as setting limits on power, force, and speed, ensuring that contact between collaborative robots and humans does not result in workplace injuries. These new specifications are a way of easing the safety challenges brought on by the increasing use of collaborative robots in conjunction with human workers across industries.
According to a PwC survey, 59% of manufacturers have adopted the use of collaborative robot technology. As we see this trend grow, QHSE remains a barrier to mass adoption of human-robot collaboration. ISO/TS 15066 constitutes best practise for the industry today and will be important in ensuring that humans and collaborative robots interact safely in factories and manufacturing facilities.
While ISO/TS 15066 is not a full standard yet, it is definitely the document to read and adhere to if you want to improve productivity between collaborative robots and workers, and maintain a safe work environment for employees.
To read the article “Standardizing Collaborative Robots: What is ISO/TS 15066?” please go to: http://www.engineering.com/advancedmanufacturing/articleid/12582/standardizing-collaborative-robots-what-is-isots-15066.aspx