EN 50155 Electronic Equipment Compliance for Mobile Robots
The EN 50155 standard is an essential requirement in the design and production of electronic equipment destined to be used on mobile platforms, particularly those operating in harsh environments such as transportation systems. This standard ensures that the electronic components within these devices are robust enough to withstand the various stresses encountered during operation.
The testing under EN 50155 is crucial for autonomous navigation and mobility systems due to its comprehensive approach towards assessing the durability, reliability, and safety of the equipment. The tests encompass a range of environmental factors like temperature extremes, vibrations, shocks, and electromagnetic interference (EMI). These factors are critical in ensuring that robotic devices perform reliably under real-world conditions.
The process involves several stages:
- Environmental Stress Screening: This phase includes testing the device's ability to survive exposure to extreme temperatures (-40°C to +85°C) and vibrations (up to 12.5 g RMS).
- Electromagnetic Compatibility Testing: Ensures that the device does not emit or receive electromagnetic interference that could disrupt other devices.
- Vibration Test: Designed to simulate road conditions, ensuring the equipment can operate smoothly over uneven terrains.
- Shock and Drop Tests: These tests evaluate how well the electronic components hold up after being subjected to sudden impacts or drops.
- Ruggedness Testing: This includes dust ingress protection (IP67), ensuring that the device remains operational even in dusty environments.
The standard also mandates thorough documentation and traceability, which is vital for quality assurance and compliance. Compliance officers must ensure that all tests are conducted according to the prescribed procedures outlined in EN 50155. This includes using appropriate test equipment and following standardized protocols to achieve accurate results.
For autonomous navigation systems, this testing ensures that devices can operate effectively in challenging environments such as tunnels or urban areas where GPS signals may be weak or unavailable. The rigorous standards help prevent malfunctions that could lead to accidents or operational failures.
Benefits
Compliance with EN 50155 offers several advantages, particularly for quality managers and R&D engineers involved in the development of mobile robots:
- Enhanced Reliability: Ensures that electronic equipment functions consistently under demanding conditions.
- Increased Safety: Reduces the risk of accidents by ensuring devices can operate safely even in extreme environments.
- Better Product Quality: Helps in achieving higher product quality standards, which is crucial for brand reputation and customer satisfaction.
- Cost Efficiency: By preventing early failures, companies can save on replacement costs and reduce downtime.
The standard also aids procurement teams by providing a clear set of criteria that suppliers must meet, ensuring they select the most reliable components available in the market.
Environmental and Sustainability Contributions
- Energy Efficiency: Ensured by testing the equipment's ability to operate efficiently in various environmental conditions, reducing unnecessary power consumption.
- Rewritable Components: By ensuring durability, the standard helps in extending the life of components, encouraging reuse and minimizing waste.
- Reduced Environmental Impact: Through improved reliability and reduced failures, the equipment can operate more efficiently without frequent replacements or repairs.
Use Cases and Application Examples
EN 50155 is particularly beneficial for industries where mobile robots play a critical role. For instance:
- Automotive Manufacturing: Ensures that automated guided vehicles (AGVs) used in production lines can operate reliably despite the factory's often harsh conditions.
- Transportation: Autonomous shuttles and delivery robots benefit from this compliance to ensure they perform safely on public roads.
- Logistics and Warehousing: Robotic systems that handle materials in warehouses require robust electronic equipment for accurate operations, especially in large-scale facilities with varying environmental conditions.
- Healthcare: Mobile robots used in hospitals must be reliable to ensure patient safety. This standard helps achieve the necessary reliability levels for such applications.
In each of these use cases, compliance with EN 50155 ensures that mobile robots can operate efficiently and safely under a wide range of conditions, contributing significantly to the success of autonomous navigation systems in various sectors.
