| Maintenance is an important component in the | | | | systems is essential not only from a productivity stand |
| long-term efficiency and productivity of industrial robots | | | | point but also from a safety point of view. Regular |
| and robot systems. Regular maintenance is important | | | | inspection and maintenance should prevent or minimize |
| to keep your equipment on-line. Having a | | | | hazards caused by malfunction and breakage of the |
| comprehensive maintenance schedule and checklist will | | | | system’s components. Service, maintenance and |
| allow you to stay on track and avoid costly repairs | | | | inspection records should be kept along with |
| and extended down time. Scheduled maintenance and | | | | identification of who performed the tasks. Accurate |
| inspection intervals are an excellent way to ensure | | | | record keeping ensures that your inspection and |
| that you will catch most issues before they become a | | | | maintenance program stays on track. |
| problem and cost you money in diminished production | | | | Protecting maintenance and repair personnel can be |
| quality and lost production time. | | | | difficult because their jobs encompass a wide range |
| Your regularly scheduled maintenance and inspection | | | | of activities placing them in direct contact with the |
| program should be comprised of the | | | | robot and robot systems. Safeguarding techniques and |
| recommendations of the robot manufacturer along | | | | procedures for maintenance and repair personnel are |
| with the recommended maintenance and inspection | | | | spelled out in the ANSI/RIA R15.06 standard. While |
| procedures of the other component manufacturers of | | | | maintenance and repair work is being performed, |
| your robot system. Schedules are based on time | | | | having trained and experienced personnel ensures that |
| period intervals or production usage. Industrial Robots | | | | safeguarding techniques and procedures will be |
| maintenance and inspection program should | | | | followed. OSHA guidelines for robotics safety, the |
| encompass robot peripherals and system components | | | | ANSI/RIA standard, and the National Institute for |
| like conveyors or parts feeders. Checking for faults or | | | | Occupational Safety and Health publication on safe |
| problems with the robot, tooling, controller and all the | | | | maintenance guidelines outline important considerations, |
| associated equipment during the scheduled | | | | techniques and procedures regarding robotic |
| maintenance and inspection program allows you to | | | | workstation safety. |
| make adjustments to the system in a timely fashion. | | | | Setting up a maintenance and inspection program |
| Preventative maintenance such as recalibrations, | | | | entails taking into account manufacturer’s |
| tooling adjustments, and bearing replacement can be | | | | recommendations, use of safety systems/ |
| performed before equipment failure occurs. A | | | | procedures, and production issues. A well-planned |
| maintenance policy sets up company rules for when | | | | program and maintenance policy ensures less |
| preventative maintenance should be done. | | | | production time lost, greater worker safety and better |
| Following the recommendations for inspection and | | | | equipment performance. |
| maintenance of your industrial robots and robot | | | | |