The number of industrial robots used in factories around the world is expected to reach more than 3 million by 2020—double the number since 2014. It is therefore becoming increasingly important for robot integrators to know, and comply with, industry standards.
As their job title suggests, robot integrators program and outfit industrial robots so they can perform automated manufacturing tasks. Integrators offer specialized engineering and programming services that many manufacturers either don't have the staff to perform or which they don't want to invest in. Integrators help define a problem, build and test a solution, and then install and integrate it into their client’s manufacturing systems. They also train the client’s operators.
ANSI/RIA R15.06 is the global standard that robot integrators measure themselves against for the integration of industrial robots and robot systems into industrial processes. It provides guidelines that emphasize the safe use of these robotics systems, and the importance of risk assessment and maintaining personnel safety.
TÜV Rheinland, an independent provider of testing, inspection and certification, recently launched a worldwide comprehensive Robot Integrator Program that streamlines the time and investment involved in certifying robotic cells. The new program allows robot integrators to indicate each robotic cell that is compliant with ANSI/RIA R15.06 with a serialized TUV Rheinland mark.
Instead of traditional certification or an on-site field labeling, the program certifies the knowledge and skillset of robot integrators at the same time that it tests robotic cells and processes against the industry standard. The program individually assesses a robot integrator’s understanding of the standard along with the integrator’s ability to consistently produce robot cells that comply with ANSI/RIA R15.06.
Following the requirements and procedures of the new program will enable robot integrators to produce individually compliant robotic cells under one serialized TÜV Rheinland Mark, which meets the national electric code and allows acceptance by Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and end users.
“The demand for custom robotic cells is growing as companies continue to integrate industrial robots into their processes,” said Ryan Braman, one of TÜV Rheinland’s test engineers. “Our new Robot Integrator Program is currently the only program of its kind and represents a decisive advantage in the marketplace.” Braman claimed the program offers a cost-effective certification process that meets the standard in a fraction of the time of traditional testing methods.
Read more about standards in high-tech manufacturing at Five Key Machine Safeguarding Trends for 2018.