Functional Safety - Robots
Frequently asked questions about ANSI/CSA 22.2 No. 336 for robotic engineers
Functional Safety
Each of these standards refers to IEC 61508 Functional safety of electrical / electronic / programmable electronic safety-related systems. IEC 61508 is a multi-part standard that has requirements not only on the design but on the design process itself and the people conducting the engineering as well as the people checking or testing your work. IEC 61508 has requirements for both hardware and software.
I’m a systems engineer / architect where should I begin?
CSA 336 identifies six safety-critical functions and establishes the minimum safety integrity level required of the subsystems implementing these functions. It’s inevitable that automated machines like this will use a combination of hardware actuators and motors, programmable controllers and software, and sensors to implement these safety-critical functions. Here’s a diagram showing a typical scope for the safety functions. You’ll need design your own architecture and establish FIT targets for each of the elements in delivering the safety-critical functions and an overall system target.
I’m a hardware engineer what should I do?
Contact exida for books, training courses and world class experts to guide you through the complexities of functional safety and help you implement the right processes for your product and organization.
Consider buying a book and while you wait for that to arrive listen to the following webinars:
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Webinar |
Presenter |
Title and Link |
Duration |
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A solid introduction to functional safety and certification |
Dr. William Goble |
56 min |
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For those familiar with an earlier edition of IEC 61508 |
Dr. William Goble |
66 min |
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What you need in your development process to be compliant |
Michael Medoff |
Functional Safety: An IEC 61508 SIL 3 Compliant Development Process |
82 min |
I’m a software engineer what should I do?
exida has help for you. The 3rd edition of the IEC 61508 book has advice for software engineers. While you have that on order watch this webinar.
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Webinar |
Presenter |
Title and Link |
Duration |
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What you need to do to develop IEC 61508 compliant software |
Michael Medoff |
64 min |
It’s hard enough solving the robotics and providing the user interface features – are you going to make this even harder?
Look at our case studies and feedback from customers. In general, the most effective designs and most successful companies base their products around a well-designed safety architecture that gives them flexibility to provide excellent user features without compromising safety. exida specialize in helping you and demonstrating you have achieved world-class safety. We’ll help you make sure you get the right development process for your product and company.