Automation Arm

Explore the equipment

Move and place parts repeatably inside a guarded cell — keeping people out of the arm's reach envelope whenever it can move, and holding the load safely when power is lost.

Components

• Base and slewRBT-401

  Carries the arm and provides the first axis

  Normally: Within its configured slew limits

• Shoulder jointAX2-401

  Second axis, carries the largest moment

  Normally: Servo holding commanded position

• Elbow jointAX3-401

  Third axis

  Normally: Servo holding commanded position

• WristAX4-401

  Orients the tool

  Normally: Following the programmed path

• GripperEOA-401

  Holds the part

  Normally: Clamped, part-present sensor made

• Holding brakesBRK-401

  Spring-applied brakes that hold each axis without power

  Normally: Released while servos are energised

• Light curtainLC-401

  Detects entry into the cell

  Normally: Beam unbroken

• Emergency stopES-401

  Removes motion power on demand

  Normally: Healthy, not latched

Operating states

• Automatic Cycle

  Arm running the programmed path at full speed with the guard closed.

• Reduced Speed Teach

  Operator inside the cell with the arm limited to reduced speed under a hold-to-run device.

• Safe Stop

  Motion power removed, brakes applied, position held.

Failure scenarios and safeguards

• NOGuarding

  The arm stops before the person is inside its reach envelope, and stays stopped until the cell is reset.

  Causes

  • Operator reaches in to clear a mis-picked part
  • Guard interlock defeated to keep production running

  How it develops

  1. 01Light curtain beam is broken while the arm is in automatic cycle.
  2. 02Protective stop is commanded and motion decelerates.
  3. 03Safe torque off removes drive power and the brakes hold each axis.

  Safeguards

  • Light curtain tripLC-401

    Commands a protective stop the moment the beam is broken

    If it fails: The arm keeps moving with someone inside its reach envelope

  • Safe torque offSTO-401

    Removes torque-producing power from the drives independently of the controller

    If it fails: A controller fault can still command motion

  • Spring-applied brakesBRK-401

    Apply automatically when power is removed and hold the axis and its load

    If it fails: The arm falls under gravity when power is lost

  Unmitigated: A person is inside the reach envelope of an arm still running its programmed path at full speed.

• NOPower

  The arm holds position with its load, and the part stays in the gripper.

  Causes

  • Supply interruption
  • Drive fault removing torque mid-move

  How it develops

  1. 01Servos stop holding position against the load.
  2. 02Spring-applied brakes engage and hold each axis where it is.
  3. 03Gripper stays clamped — it fails closed so the part is not dropped.

  Safeguards

  • Spring-applied brakesBRK-401

    Apply automatically when power is removed and hold the axis and its load

    If it fails: The arm falls under gravity when power is lost

  • Safe torque offSTO-401

    Removes torque-producing power from the drives independently of the controller

    If it fails: A controller fault can still command motion

  Unmitigated: The arm collapses under gravity and the part is thrown from the gripper.