IP Ratings and Washdown: Specifying a Robot for Harsh Environments
What the codes mean in practice
| Rating | Protection | Typical setting |
|---|---|---|
| IP54 | Dust and splashing water | General workshop |
| IP65 | Dust tight, water jets | Machine tending, dusty areas |
| IP67 | Immersion for a short time | Washdown surroundings |
| IP69K | High-pressure, high-temperature jets | Food and pharmaceutical lines |
The robot is only one item in the cell
A washdown-rated robot connected with standard cable glands, a non-rated tool and an unprotected cabinet will fail. Specify the whole chain: cables, connectors, gripper, controller enclosure, and the seals that are replaced during maintenance.
Maintenance implications
- Seals are consumables: list them with life expectations.
- Cleaning chemicals must be compatible with the materials used.
- Document the cleaning procedure; high-pressure jets aimed at seals shorten life.
- Keep a spare set of critical seals on site.