HRC applications are not yet widespread, especially in medium-sized companies. The free "Guide for the flexible use of collaborative robots" from the Fraunhofer Institute for Casting, Composite and Processing Technology IGCV and the VDMA aims to change this: On 40 pages, the most important steps from the suitability test to the implementation of an HRC application are explained; additional support documents such as templates and checklists are linked in the guide and available online.

The authors attached great importance to ensuring that, despite the theoretical content, all questions are answered in a practical manner and information is presented in a user-friendly way. "The guide incorporates the wealth of experience and expertise of over 25 companies and institutions that are involved in the 'Robotics for SMEs' expert network," says Christian Härdtlein, author and Group Leader Engineering of Adaptive Production Modules at Fraunhofer IGCV.

The guide is divided into eight parts:

• Introduction: Basic knowledge on human-robot collaboration.
• Use case: An exemplary HRC application is presented as an introduction to the topic: "Pick & Place". Cans are to be removed from an orderly position (tray) in a pallet cage and placed on a conveyor belt.
• Suitability test: What should be considered and how can an HRC solution be integrated economically?
• Risk assessment: What principles, methods and tools are needed to identify and assess risks?
• Risk mitigation: How are potential hazards dealt with and how can components be designed safely?
• Location flexibility: How can the location-flexible use of collaborative robots be efficiently implemented and reconciled with existing standards?
• Training and further education: How can - with a view to holistic HRC integration - the "human" success factor be addressed?
• Support and assistance: The federal and state governments are already actively promoting and assisting the local economy with comprehensive support services - what regional services, initiatives, funding structures and measures already exist?

The guide can be downloaded free of charge from the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.