A polycarbonate robot cell guard is a risk control measure, and the panel gauge comes out of the risk assessment rather than the catalogue: what can the robot throw, and where can it throw it.
An automotive tier one supplier in Slovakia glazed a welding cell with 6 mm. A fixture clamp released under pressure and a 400 g component hit the panel hard enough to craze it, and the cell was shut for two shifts.
Polycarbonate robot cell guard panel and frame
- Light ejection risk: 8 mm
- Grinding or heavy projection: 10 to 12 mm
- Fixing: slotted holes, 3 mm clearance
- Frame: full perimeter, no unsupported edge
Fixing detail protects the panel as much as thickness does. Bolted tight through oversized holes with no clearance, a panel develops stress rings around each fixing and a crack starts there. Slotted fixings with 3 mm movement let the sheet expand.
Visibility, wash-down and the access door
Visibility in a machine shop is a maintenance question. Coolant mist and swarf form a film that scratches when wiped dry, so the routine is a dry brush daily and a mild detergent wash weekly; solvent wipes craze the surface within months.
The access door should be glazed with the same gauge as the fence. A blind door forces a technician to open the cell to inspect a tool, which bypasses the interlock and turns a safety feature into an obstacle.
For the general machine guarding case, see machine safety guards, and for panel sizing on the cutting side, polycarbonate cut to size.
Send your cell drawing, robot reach envelope and risk assessment to oversales@rpplexiglass.com for guard panel pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What thickness polycarbonate robot cell guard?
8 mm for a cell with light ejected parts, 10 to 12 mm where the risk assessment identifies a heavier projection or a grinding operation. The assessment sets the gauge, not the robot size.
Why do guard windows cloud over?
Coolant mist and fine swarf build a film that scratches in when wiped dry. A daily dry wipe with a soft brush and a weekly mild detergent wash keeps visibility; abrasive pads destroy the panel in a month.
Should the access door be glazed?
Yes, with the same panel gauge as the fence and an interlocked latch. A solid door forces the technician to open it to see, which defeats the interlock logic and slows every cycle check.