Challenges in the RAMS database realization for industrial robots

Abstract

Industrial robots are being widely used attributed to their flexibility, repeatability, and accuracy. The reliability of industrial robots are becoming more highlighted. Over-year evidence clearly indicates that the reliability of industrial robots has had a big improvement, not only by the more reliable hardware design, but also by collecting and analyzing the failure data in fields over a long period of time. The database for the assessment of RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety) has been, therefore, paramount to industrial robot designers and manufactures. A common database for industrial robots is not a new idea. Normally, the industrial robot manufacturers retain the detailed data about faults and other incidents retained by through after-service. However, the current databases are far from satisfactory as they are not clear regarding how they will address the RAMS requirements. In this paper, the needs and expectations of the RAMS database for the industrial robots are stated. The potential technical challenges to be faced during the realization of this database are carefully discussed. It is expected that the realization of the RAMS database could bring a further improvement ranging from design, to operation and maintenance.