What is the definition of "light curtain"?
A field of light that stops a robot when the light is blocked by an object.

Learn more about light curtain in the class Robot Safety 115 below.


Robotics Training


Class Information
Tooling U classes are offered at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The typical class consists of 12 to 25 lessons and will take approximately one hour to complete.
Class Name:Robot Safety 115
Description:This class covers different methods of protecting workers from industrial robot accidents.
Prerequisites: 470110 
Difficulty:Beginner
Number of Lessons:19
Language:English, Spanish

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Below are all the competencies and job programs that contain the class Robot Safety 115. Job programs are our traditional class lists organized according to common job functions. Competencies are our latest job-specific curricula that help tie online learning to practical, hands-on tasks.

Click on any title to view its details.

Competencies


Class Outline
  • Objectives
  • Industrial Robotics Safety
  • Types of Robot Accidents
  • Causes of Accidents
  • Human Performance Factors
  • Programming Timed Events
  • Selecting a Safeguarding System
  • Lockout/Tagout Safeguards
  • Emergency Stops and Safety Trips
  • Two-Hand Control Devices
  • Presence-Sensing Safety Devices
  • Restraining Safety Devices
  • Safety Barriers
  • The Four Types of Safety Guards
  • Safety Training
  • Robot Installation and Maintenance Safety
  • Robot Safety Organizations and Publications
  • NIOSH Guidelines for Robot Safety
  • Summary
  
Class Objectives
  • Explain the importance of industrial robot safety.
  • Distinguish between types of robot accidents.
  • Describe common causes of hazardous robot movement.
  • Describe how human performance affects robot safety.
  • Describe how timed events impact robot safety.
  • Identify the terminology used to specify a robot safeguarding system.
  • Describe lockout/tagout safeguards for robots.
  • Describe common controls for stopping robot motion in emergencies.
  • Identify two-hand control safety devices.
  • Identify different types of presence-sensing safety devices.
  • Describe restraining safety devices.
  • Describe safety barriers.
  • Identify types of safety guards.
  • Describe proper training for robot safety.
  • Describe how to safely install and maintain a robot.
  • Identify robot safety organizations and publications.
  • List NIOSH guidelines for robot safety.

Class Vocabulary

Vocabulary TermDefinition
adjustable guard A type of safety barrier that adjusts in size to accommodate different sized stock.
American National Standards Institute ANSI. A private organization that sets voluntary standards for commercial products and services.
anti-tie down A type of control that requires the operator to push and release a button on a hand control, or place a finger over a photosensitive cavity to activate equipment.
awareness safety device A safety device that stops a robot when an object blocks a light field or presses against a mat. Also known as a presence-sensing device.
body bar A safety device that trips a circuit when someone presses against a bar.
breakaway A type of connection between the robot's wrist and end-effector that causes the robot to stop when too much force is applied to the end-effector. Breakaways are intended to protect equipment rather than people.
collision accident A type of accident that occurs when a robot's movements become unpredictable and a worker is struck by the robot. Also known as impact accident.
crushing accident A type of accident that occurs when a worker is pushed against an object by the robot. Crushing accidents can be fatal.
drive A mechanical device that provides motion to a motor or another part.
electromechanical sensor A safety device that stops a robot when something comes into contact with a probe or contact bar.
emergency stop A switch that brings a robot to safe, rapid stop. Also called an E-stop.
encoder A measuring device for motion control that is divided into a fixed number of increments called counts. In a typical encoder, one revolution equals one million counts.
end-effector The end component of a robotic arm that is shaped like a hand or like a specialized tool. Also known as end-of-arm tool (EOAT).
equipment accident A type of accident that occurs when a robot’s parts break and fly off and hit a worker.
E-stop switch A switch that brings a robot to safe, rapid stop. Also called an emergency stop.
event The movement of a robotic arm from Point A to Point B.
fixed guard An immovable barrier that allows operators to feed parts through while keeping dangerous areas out of reach.
gravitational force A natural force that pulls heavy objects toward each other due to their masses.
holdback device A set of cables or straps attached to an operator's hands that prevent the operator from reaching past a predetermined length.
human error The failure of a worker to perform an assigned task correctly.
impact accident A type of accident that occurs when a robot's movements become unpredictable and a worker is struck by the robot. Also known as collision accident.
industrial robot A programmable mechanical device that is used in place of a person to perform dangerous or repetitive tasks with a high degree of accuracy.
interlocked guard A barrier with a tripping mechanism that causes the robot to stop when the guard is moved. An interlock is generally a switch that goes on a door or hinge and can only be opened with a key.
International Electrotechnical Commission An international standards organization dealing with electrical, electronic and related technologies.
International Organization for Standardization A non-governmental organization that sets international standards for commercial products and services.
jumper A worker who bypasses or disables a robot's safeguards for convenience or to save time. Many robot accidents are caused by jumpers.
jumping The act of bypassing or disabling a robot's safeguards for convenience or to save time. Many robot accidents are caused by jumping.
kinetic energy The energy that a device has as a result of its motion.
lead-through programming A programming method in which a robot is placed in "teach mode" while the trainer uses a remote teach pendant to manipulate the robot through the different steps of the job.
light curtain A field of light that stops a robot when the light is blocked by an object.
lockout device A safety device that holds a switch in a safe or "off" position, or covers the switch so that it is inaccessible.
lockout/tagout A method of protecting employees from accidental robot startup through proper locking and labeling of robots that are undergoing maintenance.
movement zone The defined area of space through which a robot can move. Also known as the work envelope or work cell.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health The U.S. agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration An agency of the U.S. Department of Labor that sets standards for worker health and safety.
perimeter fence A fence placed outside the work area of the robot to prevent nearby workers from entering a hazardous space.
personal protective equipment Safety equipment that workers wear or use to prevent injury in the workplace. Safety glasses are common personal protective equipment (PPE).
photosensor A type of sensor that detects light.
position sensor A device that senses the position of the robotic arm. For greatest safety, robotic arm travel should be monitored with encoders rather than position sensors.
presence-sensing device A safety device that stops a robot when an object blocks a light field or presses against a mat. Also known as an awareness safety device.
presence-sensing mat A safety device that stops a robot when it detects weight.
pullback device A set of cables attached to an operator's hands, wrists, or arms that pulls the worker's hands back if he or she gets too close to a dangerous area.
Robotic Industries Association A trade group organized specifically to serve the robotics industry. Member companies include leading robot manufacturers, users, system integrators, component suppliers, research groups, and consulting firms.
safeguarding system Any device, barrier, or process that protects a worker from being injured by a robot. The two basic types of safeguarding systems are safety devices and safety guards.
safety barrier A gate or fence that prevents workers from entering dangerous areas.
safety device A mechanism that prevents the robot from operating when a worker is near a dangerous area.
safety guard An obstacle that prevents a worker from entering a dangerous area of the robotic system.
safety trip A pressure-sensitive body bar or mat that trips the circuit and stops the robot.
self-adjusting guard A type of barrier that moves according to the size of the part as it enters the point of operation. Once the object has moved beyond the self-adjusting guard, the guard returns to its original position
servomotor A type of motor used in applications that require precise positioning.
stock Raw material, such as a bar of metal or wood, that is fed into a machine for processing.
tagout device A prominent warning tag that alerts workers to the fact that machinery or equipment is undergoing service and should remain shut off. Tagout devices are always used with lockout devices.
teach pendant A hand-held device that can be used to program a robot and control its movements. Operators should never enter a robot's work cell without the teach pendant.
timed event A safety measure in which a robot automatically comes to a stop if it does not move from point A to point B within a certain time limit.
trapping accident A type of accident that occurs when a worker's arm, leg, or other body parts are pinned between the robot and other equipment.
two-hand control device A control that protects a worker's hands by requiring the worker to have both hands on the control device before the robot starts.
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. A privately owned U.S. organization dedicated to product safety testing and certification.
walk-through programming A programming method in which the trainer physically moves the robot through different steps of the job process.
work cell The defined area of space through which a robot can move. Also known as the work envelope.
work envelope The defined area of space through which a robot can move. Also known as the work cell.