handling device certification ?? 1

[stel8]

I am designing a manipulator that rests on a base with rollers. It takes in an empty cabinet, rotates 180 deg, allows for assembly of components inside the cabinet, and when complete (about 2000 lbs) rotates back in the initial position. A forklift removes the complete cabinet from it and loads a new empty cabinet to repeat the cycle. Is necessary to certify for safety this kind of equipment?

 

[haggis]

Stel8,

I would say that your machine should be treated as a robot. The machine itself, if well designed will probably have no regulatory restrictions as to it's design apart from codes governing electrics,compressed air,hydraulics etc.

The safety aspect,at least where I work,lies in the accessability by personnel while the machine is functioning. When I say treat it like a robot,it should completely enclosed in a "cell" where all energy sources can be locked out before entry into the area. It doesn't have to be gate that can't be opened before all the energy sources are disabled,but rather a procedure where Engineering or Maintenance personnel wishing to gain access to the machine go through a safe lock out procedure for there own safety.

Lock out would consist of pulling electrical disconnects,closing compressed air valves,isolating hydraulics etc. and putting personal padlocks on. One thing that is frequently neglected even with a procedure like this is and can be the sneaky killer,is stored energy i.e. in air cylinders,springs for example.

Where I work people are trained in these procedures and abide by them. There have been supervisors dismissed because there people ignored these rules.

Your jurisdiction may have some health and safety laws along these lines but my company usually exceeds the requirements. It saves lives and a lot of heartache.

Hope this helps.