FANUC Safety Standards & Compliance in Robotics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under ANSI/RIA R15.06, what is the minimum safe distance formula used when calculating the safety distance for a presence-sensing device?
- Ds = K × (Ts + Tc + Tr + Tbm) (Correct answer)
- Ds = K × (Ts + Tc)
- Ds = K × Tr only
- Ds = K × (Ts + Tbm)
Correct answer: Ds = K × (Ts + Tc + Tr + Tbm)
ANSI/RIA R15.06 uses Ds = K × (Ts + Tc + Tr + Tbm) where K is hand speed, Ts is stopping time, Tc is control system response, Tr is sensor response, and Tbm is brake monitor time.
Question 2: Which OSHA standard primarily governs industrial robot safety in general industry workplaces in the United States?
- 29 CFR 1910.217
- 29 CFR 1910.212 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1926.302
- 29 CFR 1910.147
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.212
29 CFR 1910.212 (General Machine Guarding) is the primary OSHA standard applicable to industrial robots in general industry, though 1910.147 (LOTO) also applies during maintenance.
Question 3: In ISO 10218-1, what does the term 'collaborative operation' specifically require regarding robot speed when a human is detected in the shared workspace?
- Robot must stop completely
- Robot must reduce to power and force limiting mode
- Robot must operate in hand-guided mode only
- Robot speed must not exceed 250 mm/s in the shared space (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Robot speed must not exceed 250 mm/s in the shared space
ISO 10218-1 specifies that during collaborative operation with speed and separation monitoring, robot TCP speed must not exceed 250 mm/s when a human is detected in the shared workspace.
Question 4: A FANUC robot's Dual Check Safety (DCS) function monitors which parameters to enforce safe zones?
- Only joint angles
- Only TCP speed
- Joint angles, TCP position, and TCP speed simultaneously (Correct answer)
- Only Cartesian position
Correct answer: Joint angles, TCP position, and TCP speed simultaneously
FANUC DCS simultaneously monitors joint angles, TCP Cartesian position, and TCP speed to enforce configurable safe zones and speed limits.
Question 5: When performing a risk assessment for a robotic cell per ISO 12100, what is the correct sequence of steps?
- Identify hazards → Estimate risk → Evaluate risk → Risk reduction (Correct answer)
- Estimate risk → Identify hazards → Evaluate risk → Risk reduction
- Risk reduction → Identify hazards → Estimate risk → Evaluate risk
- Evaluate risk → Risk reduction → Identify hazards → Estimate risk
Correct answer: Identify hazards → Estimate risk → Evaluate risk → Risk reduction
ISO 12100 prescribes: identify hazards first, then estimate the risk of each hazard, evaluate whether risk is acceptable, then apply risk reduction measures.
Question 6: Which category of safety-rated stop in ISO 10218 allows the robot to maintain power and position while stopping all motion?
- Category 0 stop
- Category 1 stop
- Category 2 stop (Correct answer)
- Category 3 stop
Correct answer: Category 2 stop
Category 2 (protective stop) maintains power and position hold while stopping motion, allowing quick resumption without re-homing — used in collaborative robot scenarios.
Question 7: What is the purpose of the 'teach pendant enable device' (deadman switch) on a FANUC teach pendant during T1 or T2 mode?
- It locks the pendant to prevent unauthorized use
- It enables motion only while held in the intermediate position, stopping motion if released or fully gripped (Correct answer)
- It switches between joint and Cartesian coordinate systems
- It activates the emergency stop circuit permanently
Correct answer: It enables motion only while held in the intermediate position, stopping motion if released or fully gripped
The deadman switch enables robot motion only when held in the intermediate (half-pressed) position; releasing it or pressing it fully both trigger a stop, protecting the operator.
FANUC Safety Standards & Compliance in Robotics 2
Under ANSI/RIA R15.06, what is the minimum safe distance formula used when calculating the safety distance for a presence-sensing device?