Requirements for guarding robot cells can vary considerably, depending on the robot and the task being performed. While conventional modular guards can be helpful, the SATECH perimeter guarding system from Procter Machine Guarding offers the significant advantage that it is available in a number of different strengths, so you only have to pay for what you need.
In the majority of robot cell guarding applications, it will be appropriate to use Satech Strong, a heavier-duty modular perimeter guarding system. However, for projects where small, lightweight robots are used, the Satech Basic modular perimeter guarding is very cost-effective. Procter Machine Guarding also offers the Satech Green Fast and MDF series, which are designed for quick and easy one-man assembly, though these are seldom used for guarding robot cells.
Satech Strong features uprights manufactured from 60x60x2mm rolled hollow section steel, together with panels in which the frame is fabricated from either 20x20mm or 30x30mm steel hollow sections with 3mm welded wire mesh infill on a 22x100mm grid. Patented fast assembly clamps enable the guards to be assembled quickly and easily – and disassembled again if access is required for maintenance. Steel bases are welded to the post for strength and rigidity, and the bases are pre-punched with four mounting holes for floor fixings. The posts are offered in five nominal heights from 1120mm to 2640mm, and panels in four heights from 960 to 1900mm and seven widths from 200mm to 1500mm. All components are finished in a tough polyester powder coat; posts and panels can be supplied in RAL 9005 black, RAL 1021 yellow, RAL 7035 grey or custom colours, though the most common combination is yellow posts and black panels for good visibility of the guarding and the robot cell.
Satech Basic features uprights manufactured from 40x40x2mm rolled hollow section steel, together with panels in which the frame is fabricated from 20x20mm steel with 3mm welded wire mesh infill on a 22x100mm grid. The posts are supported on separate base plates formed from steel plate with three or four pre-punched holes for securing the guarding to the floor. Posts are offered in five nominal heights from 1120mm to 2640mm and are height-adjustable to accommodate for uneven floors. Panels are available in four heights from 960 to 1900mm and seven widths from 200mm to 1500mm. Customers can choose either screwed assembly or the Satech patented fast assembly clamps for joining panels and posts. Colour choices are the same as for the Strong series
In both cases, Procter Machine Guarding can optionally supply panels with clear polycarbonate or sheet steel infills, the latter of which can be equipped with viewing windows if required. There is an extensive choice of gates for access to the robot cell, ranging from single- and double-leaf hinged gates, tracked or cantilevered sliding gates, and rise-and-fall gates. These can all have interlocks pre-installed, ready for connecting to the robot cell’s safety-related control system. As required, Procter Machine Guarding supplies and installs safety light barriers and pressure-sensitive safety mats. The company can also fabricate custom designed bespoke guarding infill panels and install these in areas where the standard modular guarding is unsuitable, such as around infeed or outfeed conveyors, or where the guarding abuts other machinery. A further option is for extra protection to be installed where forklift trucks operate to help avoid damage to the robot cell guarding and safety devices, as repairing or replacing these could prove costly – particularly when taking into account unscheduled downtime.
If the robot is redeployed at a later date, customers can reconfigure the Satech modular guards themselves or Procter Machine Guarding can undertake the work, including the supply and installation of any additional standard modules or bespoke infill panels
Follow the links for more information about the cost-effective, modular SATECH perimeter guarding system from Procter Machine Safety or to download a brochure. To inquire about using the Satech system for guarding robot cells, telephone us or email info@machinesafety.co.uk.