Maintenance
Inspecting a Robot's Balancer
For maintenance technicians performing a scheduled inspection of the balancer, listening for abnormal noise and looking for obvious damage before escalating to replacement.
- Step 1.
Support the arm before working near the balancer
Apply the manufacturer's mechanical support to the arm before any close access to the balancer. A balancer stores significant energy even when power is off.
- Step 2.
Position the arm for inspection
While power is still on, jog the robot to a posture that gives clear visual access to the balancer body and its mounting points. This is the last powered move before hands-on inspection.
- Step 3.
Apply lockout/tagout and inspect the balancer body and mounts up close
Before any hands-on inspection, de-energize the controller and apply lockout/tagout per the cell's LOTO procedure. Confirm zero energy at the disconnect. With the arm still supported and the robot locked out, inspect the balancer body and mounts for cracks, dents, visible leaks, or contamination. Check brackets, pins, and fasteners for looseness or corrosion.
- Step 4.
Restore power and prepare for the powered noise check
Once the close inspection is complete, close any covers or guards that were opened, clear all personnel from the robot's motion envelope, remove LOTO per the documented procedure, and restore power. Do not begin the noise check until the cell is clear and the arm support status has been confirmed appropriate for jogging.
- Step 5.
Listen for abnormal noise during a slow jog
From outside the motion envelope, jog the affected axis slowly in T1 with the deadman held, and listen for abnormal noise from inside the balancer. Keep hands and body clear of the balancer and its pinch points while the axis is moving. Stop immediately if noise or unexpected motion is heard.
- Step 6.
Decide on escalation
If abnormal noise is heard from inside the balancer, or SRVO-023 / SRVO-024 has pointed to balancer failure, plan to replace the balancer unit. Don't attempt a field repair.
- Step 7.
Document findings
Record noise observations, any visible damage, and any hardware issues in the maintenance log. Schedule replacement by a qualified technician if wear or noise is found.
Common questions
- How long does Inspecting a Robot's Balancer take?
- Inspecting a Robot's Balancer is rated Intermediate and takes about 30 minutes across 7 steps.
- What tools do I need?
- You will need Flashlight, Cleaning rags, Maintenance manual.
- What should I do before starting?
- Arm supported per the manufacturer's procedure before close inspection. Qualified technician available for any balancer replacement work.
- What is the first step?
- Support the arm before working near the balancer. Apply the manufacturer's mechanical support to the arm before any close access to the balancer. A balancer stores significant energy even when power is off.