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