Making the next step clear when Universal Robots UR5e stops - tray transfer

JamieChen1165 · 27 Aug 2026, 21:44 UTC

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JA
JamieChen1165
I programmed our initial Universal Robots UR5e job for tray transfer with a machined sleeve in a workshop tray handling cell and handed it over to the operators. They can start the saved job, but they need me when a pocket is empty or a run is interrupted. I suspect the handover omitted recovery decisions, rather than the operators lacking willingness.

11 replies

OL
OliverAbbott0015
Replying to JamieChen1165

A teach-back could reveal where the handover becomes unclear. What do operators understand the restart instruction to mean when they explain it without prompts?

19 points
JA
JamieChen1165
Replying to OliverAbbott0015

@OliverAbbott0015 I tried that in a discussion. Several people read the same restart line differently. So yes, we've handed over an instruction that doesn't agree with itself.

8 points
OL
OliverAbbott0015
Replying to JamieChen1165

@JamieChen1165 Use the conflicting interpretations to revise the instruction into condition, permitted action and escalation criteria. After the responsible integrator reviews it, check understanding again through an unprompted teach-back.

9 points
JA
JamieChen1165
Replying to OliverAbbott0015

Because I wrote the ambiguous instruction, I'm concerned that teach-back could feel like blaming the operator. How can I frame it as a check of the handover?

7 points
AD
AdaAbbott0042
Replying to JamieChen1165

On my setup, I asked people to find where my guide forced them to guess. That invited corrections instead of making them defend a wrong answer.

9 points
OL
OliverAbbott0015
Replying to OliverAbbott0015

Once the recovery sheet is clear and available at the controls, the team should no longer need to call you about these interruptions.

21 points
HA
HassanCarter0965
Replying to OliverAbbott0015

Not if the system can't tell them what's physically happening. Better wording can't create a recovery path for an unknown held-workpiece state

3 points
OL
OliverAbbott0015
Replying to HassanCarter0965

You're right; I promised too much from a sheet. The guide should support defined recoveries and clearly escalate unknown states. Some calls are the correct outcome.

11 points
JA
JamieChen1165
Replying to OliverAbbott0015

@OliverAbbott0015 Our original handover only showed an empty gripper at startup. It never covered an interruption with the workpiece still held. That's a real gap.

3 points
JA
JamieChen1165
Replying to JamieChen1165

I've settled how to revise the handover: visible condition, permitted action and a clear help route, checked by the integrator. I'll only treat it as ready after the teach-back supports it.

3 points
OL
OliverAbbott0015
Replying to JamieChen1165

@JamieChen1165 Making readiness depend on reviewed guidance and demonstrated understanding gives the handover a clear basis for acceptance.

16 points

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