Perimeter Guards for Industrial Robots

Perimeter guards for industrial robots are physical protection systems that enclose machines, robots or automated production cells, creating a continuous barrier between hazardous areas and operators.

The applicable standard is EN ISO 14120. ImpactGuard is Satech's solution for environments where guards must withstand high-energy impacts: tested to 2200 J with both 40 mm and 60 mm posts using a 20x20 frame, and 2600 J with 60 mm posts and a 30x30 frame, per EN ISO 14120 Annex C.

ImpactGuard is built for high-impact environments: foundries and stamping lines, robotic welding or heavy assembly cells, islands with high-power industrial robots, and any setting where guards are exposed to repeated shocks or significant dynamic forces.

The structure with captive-screw posts maintains its structural integrity even under intensive operating conditions.

40 mm posts support heights up to 2620 mm with resistance up to 2200 J: the standard choice for most high-impact applications.

60 mm posts allow heights up to 3180 mm with resistance up to 2200 J (20x20 frame) or 2600 J (30x30 frame), suited to critical installations or environments where projectile containment at height is also required.

For heights below 2620 mm and non-extreme risk levels, the 40 mm posts offer the most cost-effective solution without compromising safety.

A fixed guard must not be able to remain in place once its fasteners are removed. Screws, bolts and nuts must stay attached to either the guard or the machine to prevent them from falling into moving parts.

ImpactGuard's captive-screw system is designed to meet this requirement under EN ISO 14120 clause 5.3.9, keeping all fixing components secured to the structure even during maintenance disassembly.

Perimeter guarding in robot cells refers to the physical barriers that isolate the robot's working area, preventing unauthorised access during automatic cycles, in accordance with EN ISO 10218-2 (safety requirements for industrial robot systems).

ImpactGuard is designed for high-impact environments, including robot cells. Selecting the right solution for a specific application still requires a Risk Assessment under EN ISO 10218-2.

For more on guards for industrial robots, see this article.

ImpactGuard is tested to 2200 J (40 mm and 60 mm posts, both with 20x20 frame) and 2600 J (60 mm posts with 30x30 frame) per EN ISO 14120 Annex C.

Two impact forces are relevant to system selection: from outside (normative minimum 115 J, equivalent to a 90 kg person falling against the guard) and from inside (material ejected by the process). Determining the correct value for your specific application requires a Risk Assessment under EN ISO 12100.

Thanks to its framed mesh panel design, ImpactGuard can be installed at a minimum distance of 120 mm from the hazard.

This distance is made possible by the 17 x 97 mm mesh aperture, sized to prevent reaching through the panel to dangerous areas per EN ISO 13857, clause 4.2.4.1.

However, mesh aperture alone is not sufficient to define correct guard positioning: EN ISO 13857 also requires the height of the hazard point to be taken into account. A Risk Assessment under EN ISO 12100 is essential to determine both guard height and safety distance accurately.

ImpactGuard requires periodic checks every three months, with particular attention for installations subject to frequent vibrations or impacts.

Checks include tightening the captive-screw fixings and inspecting mesh panels for any damage after impacts.

For installations with integrated Safety Switches or interlocks, the maintenance programme must include functional testing of the devices per EN ISO 14119 and the manufacturer's instructions. Damaged components must be replaced immediately to maintain the 2200 J impact resistance.

Periodic maintenance is a requirement of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and the new Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230.

ImpactGuard can be installed on special floor types using a floor counter-plate, available in two versions: galvanised for gratings up to 30 mm thick, and weld-on steel for metal surfaces where drilling is not possible or advisable.

Both versions are compatible with the 40 mm and 60 mm posts. Further details are available on our accessories and brackets page.