SafetyBUS p interface incorporated within robot controllers

Citation

(2002), "SafetyBUS p interface incorporated within robot controllers", Industrial Robot, Vol. 29 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2002.04929faf.007

SafetyBUS p interface incorporated within robot controllers

SafetyBUS p interface incorporated within robot controllers

Keywords: SafetyBUS, KUKA

The independent SafetyBUS p Club International e.V. is announcing that a SafetyBUS p interface is now being incorporated within KUKA’s KR C2 8-axis robot controllers (see Plate 6), allowing a robot, complete with its peripheral safety monitoring devices (such as limit switches), to be treated as a single node on a SafetyBUS p network. This is believed to be the first time that a robot has been available as standard with a direct interface to a safety fieldbus.

Prior to this new development, interfacing a robot to a SafetyBUS p network required the use of an intermediate I/O module, with the various safety devices individually hardwired to the I/O module. But with the SafetyBUS p chipset incorporated within the KR C2 controllers, the design and wiring of the safety circuit are both greatly simplified. Add to this the fact that an intermediate I/O module is no longer required, and it can easily be seen that the combined robot and safety solution is extremely cost-effective – especially where large numbers of robots are required.

Plate 6 KUKA robots now be interfaced directly to a SafetyBUS p network.

Further benefits provided by the safety fieldbus include faster faultfinding and reduced downtime in the event of a failure of the sensor or the network itself. Centralised monitoring allows all of the relevant safety- related data to be displayed on a screen, in the same manner as any other production – or control-related data. Should an emergency- stop switch be activated, for example, the operator can immediately see from the display where the incident has occurred.

As well as monitoring the safety devices, the SafetyBUS p interface also provides safety- rated digital outputs for connection to equipment such as welding transformers or valve manifolds. All of the eight safety inputs and two safety outputs are certified for use with Category 3 hazards.

Within the SafetyBUS p Club, a dedicated Robots Group has been working to standardise details such as the PII and PIO profile, the server classes and the error diagnostics. The KUKA robots and controllers with the SafetyBUS p interface are the first fruits of this development programme; the SafetyBUS p Club is optimistic that others will be announced in the future.

Several thousand KUKA robots and controllers equipped with the SafetyBUS p interface are already planned for use on BMW’s 5-series assembly line in Dingolfing, Germany, and for the DaimlerChrysler facility where the new A-class car is to be built.

For more information about SafetyBUS p, please contact: Dr. Richard Piggin, Chairman of the SafetyBUS p Club International e.V. Tel: 01536 462205; E-mail: r.piggin@safetybus.co.uk