Thanks to their integrated sensor technology, lightweight robots can work together with employees as cobots without a safety fence, are comparatively small and can be easily moved to different workstations due to their low weight. Programming is also no longer as complex as it was a few years ago.

However, small and medium-sized companies often need support to be able to exploit this potential in their operations: after all, they often have less specific expertise in-house compared to larger companies. In particular, the application of standards and the associated pressure and force measurement (TS 15066) and risk assessment pose a major challenge. The CE marking of the entire application is currently still quite complex, and a change often requires re-certification.

Sometimes it is recommended to use a system integrator. There are hardly any useful guidelines on how the flexible use of lightweight robots can be implemented efficiently and is compatible with existing standards. Julia Berg, one of the initiators of the expert network, therefore has a particular focus on user companies: "Little has happened in recent years to ensure that lightweight robots can be used flexibly - which they already could technologically. That's why we in the expert network want to push ahead with a possible design of the risk assessment and the classification of tools and workpieces in order to enable a more uncomplicated use, especially for medium-sized companies."

Working groups draft recommendations for action
The first working group in the "Lightweight robotics without safety fences" expert network is now dedicated to the risk assessment of robot applications for mobile use. Issues such as the simplification of risk assessment procedures, the definition of when a change to the system is considered a change and more efficient measurements in accordance with TS 15066 play the main role here. Qualification profiles for the various roles and tasks and, for example, a checklist for the relocation of robots are also to be developed.

The second group on the certification and classification of components is developing a procedure for streamlining the risk assessment process with CE-certified components and classified parts. When can components be considered safe? Which components on the current market are suitable for this? Can workpieces be classified?

Answers are to be developed in coordination with the applicable standards. After a primary work phase until July 2021, recommendations for action are to be developed on how the standards and legal situation for lightweight robots can become more practical, how user companies can approach the use of cobots sensibly without losing heart in the certification jungle and how manufacturers can prepare for the implementation process. In addition, a demonstrator will be set up to illustrate the topics covered.

Join the expert network
In the working groups, manufacturers, research institutes and user companies from different sectors and of different sizes work together to utilize the experience of others and jointly address gaps. Contacts to the relevant DIN committees provide good connection points. Small and medium-sized companies can still participate, according to the press release. as