Collision Detection vs. Virtual Fence vs. Areas of Interference

Collision Detection

Collision detection is a built in function on the RC8 controller and does not require a paid license to use. It monitors the current levels of each motor and based on the threshold set, it will stop the robot and turn off motor power once the threshold is exceeded. This is to prevent excessive damage to the robot arm, tooling, or environment. This function does not prevent the robot from colliding with other objects but rather just reduces the impact. Collision detection can be enabled and disabled from your program as well as redefined.

https://www.fa-manuals.denso-wave.com/en/usermanuals/005099/

Areas of Interference

Areas of Interference, also known as Interference Areas, are cuboidal areas in 3D space that can be setup to prevent the robot from entering or exiting a specified area. This function is built into the RC8 controller and does not require a paid license to use. This feature monitors the robot based on its tool center point. This tool center point, or TCP, is defined by its current tool offset. This means that parts outside of the TCP can interfere with these areas and not throw an error. Also, these areas can be enabled and disabled within your program as well as redefined.

https://www.fa-manuals.denso-wave.com/en/usermanuals/001627/

Virtual Fence

Virtual fence is a paid license function on the RC8 controller. It allows the user to create 3D barriers where the robot cannot enter. You can create multiple fences around the robot arm in addition to changing the level of resolution of each fence to provide a more accurate depiction of the fence. If the robot runs into a virtual fence, the robot will stop immediately. However, the motors will stay on allowing the user to move the robot away from the fence. Virtual fence takes into considering the entire body of the robot arm. It can also include the robot’s tooling. The fences can be enabled and disabled in your program but they must be setup offline within Wincaps3. The fences can also be enabled and disabled within the program.

https://www.fa-manuals.denso-wave.com/en/usermanuals/002237/