Safe operation
Even a small teaching arm can pinch fingers or collide with objects.
Before starting
- Secure the base and check assembly.
- Keep hands, face, hair and loose items outside the movement area.
- Check model, calibration, power and cables.
- Locate software stopping controls and the hardware power disconnect.
- Begin with a small movement under supervision.
During operation
Watch the real arm as well as the scene. Do not hold obstacles in its path or change wiring while powered. Stop and investigate binding, unexpected direction, overheating or loss of control.
Stopping and holding
A tool’s Stop ends its current operation. Emergency stop, disabling torque and disconnecting power have different consequences. Releasing holding torque can let the arm fall under its own weight. Follow Lab’s recovery message and the hardware instructions. Space is not a universal stop key on every screen.
In class
Assign one operator and an observer. Explain virtual versus physical operation. Small size and educational use do not guarantee freedom from injury.
Controls
| Button or field | Action and result |
|---|---|
| Workspace-clear confirmation | Confirms readiness of the workspace before control starts. Click only after checking physical space and the selected connection. |
| Tool’s Stop | Ends that tool’s operation, such as path playback or arm mirroring. The connection and motor torque may remain enabled. |
| Go home | Commands movement to the neutral pose. Do not use it instead of stopping when an obstacle is in the way. |
| Torque off / stop_robot | Releases holding torque. Support the arm so it cannot drop; this differs from stopping a program. |
| Cancel in camera calibration | Cancels the sequence but is not an immediate hardware emergency stop. |
| Disconnect confirmation | Closes the selected connection. For a hardware problem, follow the equipment instructions and available power-off procedure. |
Before class, demonstrate the difference between starting, stopping and returning home on the virtual model. Assign an operator and observer before using a real arm.