Robotics congress: Mayser presents economical and safe cobot applications
On 8 February, robotics experts convened in Hannover, with the focus on “Collaborating Robots: Fit for Everyday Use?” as the central topic. Mayser was invited as an expert for the podium discussion and gave a presentation on safe and productive cobot robots and economical solutions such as ultrasonic safety, soft covers, and tactile and capacitive collision protection.
Key topics of this year’s congress included safety and productivity in modern collaboration between humans and robots. How safe is the new generation of robots for cobot applications really, and is it sufficient for the robot to stop in case of human contact? These and other questions were addressed in numerous presentations by experts and in open discussions.
Dr. Uwe Reimann, a member of the executive board in Business Development at Mayser, talked in his presentation “Safety and Productivity” about one of the most important cobot issues since the onset of industrial robotics: Can a safe robot be productive? Mayser has responded to this challenge by developing solutions that allow robots to operate as long as possible without reduced speed during collaboration. This makes it possible to achieve the required cycle times, which would not be possible for example at low speeds of 40 mm/s.
Depending on the application and the safety requirements, the protection can be supplemented with ultrasonic safety or with capacitive sensors, tactile surface sensors, soft covers or tactile collision protection. “We develop the solutions for increasing productivity and safety,” explains Dr. Uwe Reimann.
In the ensuing podium discussion, in which Managing Director Thomas L. Zawalski was represented as an expert for safety technology, the consensus was clear: Human robot collaboration will continue to be a central issue in the future. Demographic change and longer working in production call for a new perspective. The trade associations are increasingly requiring ergonomic workplaces. “We are on the right path, because efficient and safe collaboration between humans and robots is now possible, thanks to ultrasonic safety,” said Thomas L. Zawalski in conclusion.
