Robot Cells and Machine Guarding
Robot cells combine high energy movement, complex machine interaction and the need for controlled human access for maintenance and service. While safety can be added later, it often leads to redesign, inefficiencies and unnecessary complexity. For this reason, safety should be designed as part of the robot cell from the beginning.
Industrial robot applications introduce risks that are both dynamic and difficult to manage safely. Early risk assessment is key to identifying these risks and defining safe robot cell design from the start. Movements are fast, ranges are wide and multiple processes often interact within the same space. At the same time, access is required for setup, maintenance and troubleshooting.
Without a structured safety approach, this often leads to:
- Unclear separation between robot zones and operator areas
- Unsafe or poorly positioned access points
- Production disruptions caused by inefficient safeguarding
- Challenges in balancing protection with accessibility
Robot cells therefore require a combination of safeguarding methods, including fixed guarding and fencing, interlocked doors and light curtains or scanners. Critical areas, such as doors and exposed machine protection, also need to be protected against impact using solutions like Bollards and Impact Protection.
Safe and efficient robot cell design
As a safety partner, Axelent supports automation integrators in designing robot cells that are safe, compliant with relevant standards and adapted to real workflows.
Our modular Machine Guarding systems, interlocked doors and Impact Protection are designed to integrate easily into robot cells and surrounding systems, enabling quick installation and easy adjustment on site.
How we support robot cell safety and system integration
- Define clear safety zones using modular machine guarding systems
- Position access points with interlocked doors for safe and controlled entry
- Protect critical areas with impact protection such as bollards and barrier protection
By combining modular, easy-to-integrate solutions with design support, we help reduce engineering effort, simplify integration across suppliers and maintain high throughput, while ensuring a more predictable and scalable system design.
Plan compliance from the start
Adding safety late in the process often leads to redesign, delays and additional approvals. By planning safety from the start, integrators can avoid these issues and create a smoother path to validation.
Axelent develops safety solutions aligned with relevant standards such as ISO 12100, ISO 14120 and ISO 13857 and ANSI standards, supporting compliance from day one. By integrating guarding, access control and zoning early in the design phase, we help simplify validation and approval without disrupting operations. This also supports efficient use of available space and allows systems to scale without unnecessary disruption.
Want to move your project forward?
- Download CAD files and drawings to design and integrate safety in your own system
- Access documentation and resources to support your project and compliance requirements
- Use Axelent Safety Design to configure and plan your solution directly in our environment
Get in touch with us
Any questions about safety in automation and robotics projects? Do you want to discuss your system, interfaces or integration challenges. Our safety specialists support automation integrators with expert guidance and fast response throughout the project.
Send us your layout or requirements and we’ll help you design a solution that improves safety without slowing down your system.
