Traditionally, robots have worked alone inside safety cages or fences. But, more applications on assembly lines today require humans and machines to work in close proximity.
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL—A 25-ton power press crushed a temporary worker’s right ring finger when the machine she operated cycled while her hand was inside. The incident, at a steel parts manufacturing plant here, occurred when light curtains that act as machine guards failed to work properly.
Traditionally, robots rely on lots of cabling and connectors. However, continuous the auto industry is developing wireless sensors that are quick, reliable, secure and able to resist interference from existing systems.
