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Welcome to A3's "Ask the Automation Experts," your go-to destination for answers to all your burning questions in Robotics, Vision, Motion Control, and Artificial Intelligence. Our panel of experts is here to provide you with valuable insights, solutions, and guidance across a diverse spectrum of automation topics. Whether you're seeking advice on technology implementations, industry best practices, or simply looking to expand your knowledge, our experts are at your service. Dive into the world of automation with confidence, knowing that you have access to the collective wisdom of automation professionals. Explore, inquire, and learn from the best in the field - "Ask the Automation Experts" is your source for trusted guidance.

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08/11/2025
Category: Careers & Students/Training

Carrie testing question/answer process.

08/07/2025
Category: Cameras

test

02/14/2020
Category: Assembly

Is there a governing authority such as OSHA that specifies the need to have hard stops for the industrial robots used in a manufacturing facility?

02/11/2020
Category: Safety

What is the definition of robot?

02/03/2020
Category: Careers & Students/Training

In defining he restricted space of the robot (per R15.06, Part 2, 5.4.2 and 5.4.3), are the user-defined operating parameters in the control software consider the "safety-rated soft axis and space limiting". There is no safety plc monitoring these software limits.

01/22/2020
Category: Assembly

I have a new facility located in Indiana that is subject to ANSI R15.06-2012. I am curious if there is a company somewhere out there that could do an on site audit or "Gap Analysis" from a safety perspective to verify compliance with the standard and identify any shortcomings we may have. The intent is to use this as an internal document as a guide to ensure compliance.

01/16/2020
Category: Inspection

Where can I find consultant to evaluate a RIA assessment risk for project with robotic arms (ABB or FANUC tbd)?

01/06/2020
Category: Assembly

I am using small robot to teach employees how to program robots. The robot has had the auto run setting removed and will/can only be used in manual mode with the teach pendant. I am trying to figure out what other protections might be required. I am l leaning toward a fixed barrier guard enclosure with just a warning line at the entry area. In addition, employees will be trained that only a single employee can be in the enclosure. It doesn't seem logical to require a light curtain or gate at the entry since the robot is permanently in slow speed teach mode. Any advice?

12/23/2019
Category: Safety

Are retractable belt fences commonly used anywhere in the world, in industry or in academia, as safety fencing for industrial robotic cells?

12/14/2019
Category: Safety

Is it acceptable to use mirrors to improve visibility? We're considering a robot cell with a few blind spots. Per 15.06, the interlock reset should "have a clear and unobstructed view of the safeguarded space." Have people used mirrors successfully to address blind spots without the need for a timed reset button inside the cell or presence sensing?

11/13/2019
Category: Safety

We have a Kuka KR3 R540 robot that is being integrated into an existing system for vision inspection. The mounting location for the robot is in a tight area between a table and the lexan guarding. With this is being integrated into a portion of a system that was built by a different integrator, would we need to ensure the entire line is meets RIA standards prior to installing this robot or just the station it is being integrated into? Thank you.

11/07/2019
Category: Safety

Hello, I am looking for Industry experts / consults who have strong expertise in End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT) and Automation industry. Ideally, the consults have both strategy and technical background. Thank you.

10/31/2019
Category: Assembly

We are working on a small 6-axis robot (7kg rated) application that has the safety enclosure much smaller than the robot reach. Hard stops on the axis points are not feasible for the required motion and the safety rated (Cat3, PLd) planes that can be programmed inside the enclosure are also not feasible due to safe distance calculations for "overshoot." We believe that our only option is to build an enclosure that is strong enough to contain the worst case inertia of the robot and payload, which would be coasting into the enclosure after crossing the safety plane. We can do the math to determine the inertia and can develop a simulated impact test on enclosure parts, but we don't know if there are any specific requirements, test methods, pass/fail criteria, documentation, etc. that we should be following. Is guard strength testing the correct solution for our application and is there any industry guidance on conducting this guard validation?

10/03/2019
Category: Safety

I'ma student and working on Staubli TX40, to detect and grab using a camera mounted on it so, I want to know, how can I link the Staubli with my C program to run according to that.

09/25/2019
Category: Simulation

During an alternate LOTO procedure, where a Auto tech places the robot cell in maintenance mode (in order to work on it and power is needed), and then enters a multi robot cell, with multiple robots with his working envelope, what is the best scenario to have total and exclusive control of these numerous robot without be able to carry numerous teach pendants. I spoke to a MIOSHA rep and suggested that we create a very detailed risk assessment for this very specific alternate LOTO procedure The practicality is, how can an Auto tech carry 6 teach pendants with him while working on one or two robots? and still have total and exclusive control of the robots in his working envelope?

09/17/2019
Category: Safety

My Name is Brian Jencks. I tutor students now in high school and get the question: “what should I do? And how should I do it?” I believe there is a future in robots that perform in hostile environments (collapsed buildings, nuclear waste sites, ocean depths, bomb threats, avalanches, outer space, burning buildings …). I can not find information on educational paths for such careers. Standard rap for engineers sure—but are there any specialized programs? (I am not asking about industrial robots—that ship has sailed.)

09/16/2019
Category: Assembly

Is there a standard or best management practice or Checklist (preferred) to audit our Safety PLC controls to determine they are good during a risk assessment?

09/13/2019
Category: Safety

What woul make the light curtin not work

09/12/2019
Category: Safety

I am a member of the Bridgton Lake Region Rotary Club; we do work in LaRomana Dominican Republic. We would like to begin a program to have drones bring medication and other small items to the remote villages. Is there a contact to help me E-mail dickenright@yahoo.com phone 207-653-8141

09/11/2019
Category: Other

Hello There ! I have a deburring application for an Aluminum - transmission case . Need your suggestion on the following two main points :- 1) how to select a tool for this application. How tool wear and variation in flashes / burrs in Die casting input parts be taken care. If that is to be controlled thru robot programming or the tool thru some auto compensation feature. 2. Which option is better :- a) Component on the robot and Deburring tool fixed. b) Deburring tool on robot and part clamped on a jig/fixture. Kindly share pros and cons of both configurations mentioned in a) and b) This will help me great deal to reach a final decision. the robot here is Fanuc M-710iC / 70 Do you supply and support in Indian Market for integration and commissioning . waiting for your reply. Thank you in advance. Regards, Amit Balyan

09/02/2019
Category: Material Removal

When training a new robot tech, we have 2 employees inside the work area. One has the pendant, in teach mode and the other is around them learning. My question is,"Does the other employee need a deadman switch?" Same thing with Maintenance personnel, "Do we need a deadman for each one in the cell?"

08/15/2019
Category: Safety

I am looking into risk assessment software? Is there software that does this and the circuit validation and verification with it?

08/15/2019
Category: Safety

Is there a gripper that can grab a 10 inch OD aluminum tube?

07/26/2019
Category: Material Handling

How to determine fence height requirements for Fanuc 2000IC_210F Robot cell?

06/13/2019
Category: Safety