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Advancing complexity models for human-robot collaboration in assembly processes
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Empirical comparison of assembly complexity assessment approaches in manufacturing
Full text linkInvestigating assembly complexity is a continuing concern within the manufacturing field, as it may impact the quality and costs of products. A growing body of literature is aimed at developing novel and reliable methods to assess assembly complexity. The first aim of this paper is to provide an extensive literature review, identifying the main approaches to this problem. Three main approaches emerged: product-centred approach, information-centred approach and system-centred approach. A second goal is to conduct a comparative analysis of these approaches, highlighting their advantages and limitations and providing guidance for process and product designers seeking to control assembly complexity. For each approach, a representative method was chosen, analysed in detail, and applied to five different real products. As concluding findings it was observed that product-centred approaches provide a more objective analysis, focusing strictly on product features. On the other hand, information-centred approaches focus on quantity and variety of information handled by assembly operators, thus proposing a valuable link between complexity and effort required. Finally, system-centred approaches provide a holistic assessment of assembly complexity which is typically only qualitative
What Kind of Gestuality for Ancient Comedy?
No full textWhat kind of gestures were used in ancient comedy? Iconography gives us an idea of the body and costume of the comic actor. But beyond the fixity of images, how were gestures successively performed on stage?To answer this question, we need to consider the material context in which the plays were produced: the costumes, the masks, the rectangular orchestra, and the large audience. We must remember that gesture is above all a medium adapted to the space and to technical needs.In this article, I'd like to check whether the method I've applied so far to analyze kinesics in tragedy also works in the case of comedy. I study a scene from Aristophanes' Acharnians characterized by intense moves. I show that different types of gestures can be identified in the text: praxis gestures, modal gestures, mimetic gestures, and iconic gestures. Taken together, they allow us to better understand what the Athenian spectators had "in front of their eyes".Comment nous représenter le type de gestualité mise en ?uvre par la comédie ancienne L'iconographie nous offre une idée du corps et du costume de l'acteur comique. Mais la fixité des images (sans parler de leur origine et de leur datation différente) laisse en suspens la question de la réalisation scénique des gestes, et de leur succession. Pour répondre à cette question, il importe de prendre en compte le contexte matériel dans lequel étaient produites les pièces : les costumes, les masques, mais aussi le gradin élevé, l'orchêstra rectangulaire, le public nombreux. Il faut, pour reconstituer la gestualité antique, se rappeler qu'elle est avant tout un medium adapté à cet espace et répondant, par-delà les codes esthétiques, à des besoins techniques particuliers. Dans cet article, je souhaite observer si la méthode que j'ai appliquée jusqu'ici à la gestualité tragique fonctionne également dans le cas de la comédie. J'étudie une scène des Acharniens d'Aristophane caractérisée par son intense gestualité. Je montre qu'on peut identifier dans le texte différents types de gestes : gestes praxiques, modalisateurs, mimétiques, iconiques. Mis bout à bout, ils permettent de comprendre un peu mieux ce que le public athénien avait "devant les yeux".Fil: Capponi, Matteo. Université de Lausanne, Suisse
Eye-tracking support for analyzing human factors in human-robot collaboration during repetitive long-duration assembly processes
Full text linkThe integration of eye-tracking technology in manufacturing is emerging as a powerful tool for optimizing human performance and well-being in the workplace. Advances in various fields enabled the recent development of smaller, wearable, and wireless eye-tracking devices which are suitable for naturalistically studying manufacturing processes, such as human-robot collaboration (HRC). However, the implementation of eye-tracking for evaluating mental workload in HRC is still limited, especially in long-duration sessions. This paper provides an overview on the application of eye-tracking technology in the context of cognitive ergonomics within the manufacturing sector, with special attention to eye-tracking metrics and their interpretation relatively to human state in long-duration sessions (i.e., work shifts). In addition, an example case study will be presented to explore the reliability of the most common eye-tracking metrics, concerning a repetitive assembly process of 8 h in an HRC setting. Among the explored eye-tracking metrics, pupil dilation, number and average duration of fixations, and number saccades provided useful insights on the mental strain in dynamic conditions. In addition, from the multiple information gathered by eye-tracking, different phenomena related to mental workload were able to be distinguished. The use of cognitive resources resulting from learning process was well detected by pupil dilation, number of fixations and saccades. Mental fatigue, on the other hand, was well detected by the average duration of fixations and the pupil diameter. These results highlight the need to consider multiple eye-tracking metrics simultaneously to obtain a holistic view of the operator’s psychophysiological state
Product complexity and quality in assembly processes: state-of-art and challenges for Human-Robot Collaboration
Full text linkPurpose - It is widely accepted in quality management that product complexity is a primary cause of defects. A primary goal of this work is to provide a comprehensive review of complexity assessment methods to highlight different approaches and their application purposes. Moreover, the spread of collaborative robotics in industrial environments has also led to the consideration of a new definition of assembly complexity. This article attempts to fill this gap, with the specific aim of understanding which of the available methods may be suitable for modelling “complexity” in human-robot collaboration (HRC).
Design/methodology/approach – A systematic literature review of complexity assessment methods in manufacturing is carried out. From this analysis, three main approaches to complexity assessment emerged. A practical case is then introduced to test each of the three previous approaches and to highlight their strengths and weaknesses, with a special focus on their future adaptation to a collaborative assembly process.
Findings - To date, none of complexity assessment methods is specifically able to face the problem of interaction between agents (i.e., humans and robots). Only system-centered approaches hypothesize a holistic view of complexity, including some variables that are also crucial in the assessment of human-robot collaboration.
Originality/value – This article aims to extend the concept of industrial quality to HRC. In this framework, it cannot be ignored the fact that the dynamics of interaction between agents can equally influence both process and product quality
Exploring multi-human multi-robot collaboration in assembly processes: Challenges and opportunities in quality and manufacturing
No full textThe recent evolution of robotic systems is pushing the manufacturing sector towards continuous adaptation, incorporating novel technologies. Industry 5.0 is shifting the attention from basic human-robot interactions, typically between a single human operator and a single robot, to more complex configurations of multi-human multi-robot (MH-MR) teams. These advanced systems, in which multiple human and robot agents collaborate on shared tasks, can offer significant advantages on flexibility, adaptability and productivity, while reducing operators’ workload. However, integrating these systems introduces new challenges: such as governing interactions within the team, means of communication and human behavior. Traditional models may no longer be adequate to capture the complexity of MH-MR teams. This paper aims to investigate the challenges and the open questions surrounding the adoption of MH-MR teams in manufacturing. A real case study in assembly is presented as an illustrative example to explore some of the key issues. This serves as a starting point for a broader discussion on how to effectively implement MH-MR teams in industrial contexts
A human-centered perspective in repetitive assembly processes: preliminary investigation of cognitive support of collaborative robots
Full text linkHuman-robot collaboration (HRC) is one of the paradigms of the emerging Industry 5.0, aimed at supporting humans in production processes. However, the introduction of an industrial robotic system in close contact with a human opens new challenges not only for safety but also for ergonomics. This paper aims to study whether the introduction of a collaborative robot into an assembly process can support the human operator not only physically but also cognitively. To address this research question, shifts of a repetitive assembly process were implemented in both manual and HRC settings. The two settings were compared over time by analyzing the evolution of generated process failures and physiological response, revealing potential differences in process quality and operator stress
Enhancing Manufacturing Engineering Higher Education Through Mixed Reality and Gaussian Splatting: Preliminary Experimental Results
No full textThe integration of Mixed Reality (MR) technologies into higher manufacturing-engineering education can contribute to face the challenges of providing hands-on training with real manufacturing systems. This paper explores the potential of MR combined with Gaussian Splatting (GS) to create high-fidelity digital replicas of industrial machinery (e.g., lathes, milling machines, etc.), enhancing students’ understanding of manufacturing processes. GS is emerging as a breakthrough technique for real-time rendering of objects and environments. By delineating the scene as the realisation of an object in a defined temporal state, GS methodology represents a 3D high-fidelity digital scene as a collection of 3D Gaussian ellipsoids characterised by position, geometry, shape, colour and opacity. The integration of MR with GS allows trainees to engage with realistic virtual models, simulating a physical presence in a machining workshop. The capacity to digitally manipulate and analyse individual objects enhances the learning experience, addressing logistical and safety constraints by providing a risk-free and accessible training environment. A lathe is used as a case study, and the GS-based digital scene is compared with conventional CAD-based model in terms of qualitative performance
General remarks on the entropy-inspired MCAT (manufacturing complexity assessment tool) model to assess product assembly complexity
Full text linkAssembly complexity assessment is a widely addressed topic in manufacturing. Several studies proved the correlation between assembly complexity and the occurrence of defects, thus justifying this increasing attention. A measure of complex ity provides control over quality costs and performances. Over the years, many methods have been proposed to provide an objective measure of complexity. One of the most widely difused is the so-called MCAT (i.e., “Manufacturing Complexity Assessment Tool”) modifed by Samy and ElMaraghy H. for assessing product assembly complexity. Although this method highlights some interesting aspects, it presents some critical issues. This work aims to thoroughly analyse this method, focusing on its strengths and limitations
Continuous Quality Improvement in Human–Robot Collaboration: A Quality 4.0 Methodological Approach
No full textHuman-robot collaboration (HRC) is increasingly prevalent across various industries, necessitating an in-depth exploration of the factors that enhance its quality. Evaluating HRC is not trivial, as it involves several disciplines, including engineering, computer science, and social sciences. A major problem in the literature is to find a comprehensive framework that can support the continuous enhancement of HRC. High-quality HRC requires a balanced integration of technological advancements and human-centered design principles. This chapter provides a methodology to support the implementation of continuous quality improvement strategy in HRC by including a previously presented HRC evaluation framework. This methodology is applied to a case study to better illustrate how it works and its advantages. The proposed methodology can provide insights to practitioners, supporting the analysis and implementation of HRC, as well as highlighting the areas for improvement
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