Risk Assessment Overview for Power and Force Limited Robots

Risk Assessment for Power and Force Limited Robots: What You’ll Learn

In this video, we will go over the essential steps for performing a risk assessment on collaborative robot applications, specifically focusing on power and force limited robots. Understanding risk assessment is critical for ensuring safety and compliance in industrial automation environments. This session introduces the principles behind identifying hazards, evaluating risk severity, and implementing effective control measures in line with ISO standards.

We start by reviewing key ISO safety standards, including ISO 12100 for general machinery safety, ISO 10218 for industrial robot design and application, and ISO/TS 15066 for collaborative robot systems. These standards form the foundation for assessing and reducing risk in robotic applications.

Next, we walk through a practical example using a palletizing application with a FANUC CRX-30iA robot. You’ll see how to document machine descriptions, control specifications, and robot tool details before moving into hazard identification. Common hazards such as clamping, crushing, and impact risks are discussed, along with the types of forces robots can exert—quasi-static and transient—and why minimizing these is essential for operator safety.

We will also cover proven risk reduction strategies, including:

• Design guidelines to eliminate sharp edges and improve contact surfaces
• Power and force limiting to stop robots when force thresholds are exceeded
• Speed and separation monitoring using safety scanners
• Collaborative speed setup to reduce impact severity
• Cell design modifications and Cartesian position checks for workspace safety

By the end of this video, you will learn:

• How to identify hazards in collaborative robot applications
• Methods for estimating risk severity and confidence intervals
• Practical steps to implement ISO-compliant risk reduction measures

If you’re looking to improve safety in your robotic systems and ensure compliance with international standards, this video provides the guidance you need. Sign up to watch and gain actionable insights for safer automation.