Stäubli TX2: A Single Robot for All MRC Levels

Stäubli leverages over 125 years of experience by positioning its product range according to customer needs, making it its mission to streamline workflows safely and sustainably without requiring you to choose between performance and collaboration. Stäubli TX2 robots, with safety brake testing (Safety Brake Test); Safe Speed, Safe Stop, Safe Zone and Safe Tool safety functions; digital encoders, arm safety card, safe drivers and controller safety card hardware, guarantee the highest SIL3-PLe safety level and operate under the Man & Robot Collaboration (MRC) levels mentioned below with the slogan "One Robot For All MRC Levels," combining the highest safety and performance. At MRC Level 1, there is a fixed protective barrier separating the operator and robot, and the process is performed by the robot. All high-performance characteristics of robots (speed, rigidity, repeatability, etc.) can be fully utilized. No risk arises from part ejection, and safety parameters are very easy to program. Productivity is at its highest level at this stage, and risk assessment is straightforward. At MRC Level 2, there are virtual safety fences separating the operator and robot, and the work area can rarely be shared (virtual safety fence). The process is performed by the robot. The robot stops before any possible contact with the operator. The operator rarely enters the work area (vibrating bowl feeder filling, pallet or container change, pallet removal, feeder loading, end of production, etc.). Productivity is near Level 1 and high but decreases depending on the frequency of the operator's entry into the work area. Risk assessment includes verification of the virtual fence's safety level, distance calculation to guarantee the robot's stop before human contact, and gripper management to prevent part ejection.  

MRC Level 3

Virtual safety fences exist separating the operator and robot, but the work area is regularly shared (virtual fence). The robot and operator participate jointly in process execution. The operator regularly enters the area during production (for control purposes or preparation of components before loading, etc.). The operator can perform assembly on parts while the robot works in another area. As the operator approaches, the robot can continue working at low speed in some areas (Safe Speed) but stops before any possible contact with the operator. Productivity decreases compared to Level 2 as the collaboration level increases. Risk assessment is the same as Level 2.

MRC Level 4

The robot and operator work together in process execution (control, preparation of components before machine loading, etc.). The operator and robot work simultaneously in the same area with no separator (virtual fence, etc.) between them. The operator shares the work area with the robot. The robot stops when it contacts the operator; however, contact is not necessary for this application. The robot and operator do not need each other to execute the process. Application examples: Collaborative assembly (for example; robot prepares work pieces), machine loading (operator prepares parts/robot performs loading), etc. Productivity is very low. Risk assessment includes, in addition to Levels 2 and 3, collision of gripper and peripheral units, collision between parts and cell, collision between part and gripper, impact against gripper or part, and all cutting elements of gripper or cell.