Apparatus for detecting distortion of transfer arm robot An apparatus for
detecting distortion of a transfer arm robot comprising at least an
electromagnetic radiation source and at least a sensor for detecting said
electromagnetic radiation. The source and sensor may be mounted on a
reference plane parallel to the plane of the arm at which portion
distortion is to be detected wherein the radiation is reflected off said
portion of the arm. The sensor may be mounted at an appropriate distance
from the source to receive the radiation reflected by said portion of arm
at a normal and distortion-free state. When the sensor is out-of-range to
receive radiation reflected by said portion of arm at a distorted state,
signal may be generated to alert or halt the operation of the transfer
arm or equipment as a whole.
