Method for the safe operation of a machine

A machine that has a movable machine part comprising a hazardous section and comprises a control apparatus that is configured to carry out a method for a safe operation of the machine,

• wherein the method comprises:
• the movable machine part moving according to a sequence program predefined for the machine;
• and
• an environment of the hazardous section being monitored,
• wherein, in the event of an engagement of an object into a defined protective volume within the monitored environment, a safety-related reaction is triggered that comprises the movement of the movable machine part being stopped if the engagement exceeds a defined engagement threshold of the protective volume;
• wherein the protective volume is variable, namely depending on the current position of the hazardous section, to permit a scheduled approach of the hazardous section to one or more objects, and
• wherein the protective volume is taught:
• in that an initial protective volume is first predefined;
• in that the machine is controlled so that the movable machine part moves according to the predefined sequence program while the environment of the hazardous section is monitored;
• in that, if the movement of the movable machine part is stopped as a result of an object engaging into the initial protective volume, a teach-in mode can be started by means of a first user input, in which teach-in mode the movement is continued and position data of objects in the environment of the hazardous section are acquired in so doing;
• in that the teach-in mode can be terminated by means of a second user input;
• and
• in that the protective volume is defined based on the acquired position data,
• wherein, in the teach-in mode, the movement of the movable machine part is stopped as soon as no object engages into the initial protective volume anymore and the teach-in mode can then be terminated by means of the second user input.