127 research outputs found
A Methodological Framework to Assess Mental Fatigue in Assembly Lines with a Collaborative Robot
No full textIn the current manufacturing assembly lines, collaboration between human and robot plays a significant role in the final output of the assembly, be it performance, quality or overall reliability. In that regard, smooth collaboration between human and robot is required to minimize the probabilities of human-system error, potential loss of performance and quality, and minimize the risk of decision making mistakes. Mental fatigue, and more importantly the cognitive load, of human operators is a crucial aspect in decision making, potential of error during the task and the overall flow of the assembly process. This paper reports about the development of a methodological framework to assess mental fatigue during a collaborative assembly task. In this framework, general complexity of the process and assembly task is investigated, as knowledge of the dynamic and static complexity can be helpful in reducing mental fatigue and cognitive load. We validated the applicability of the proposed frame in a real based collaborative assembly process
Human factor and entropy evaluation in collaborative workplace environment
No full textThe integration of advanced technologies, that the Industry 4.0 framework introduced, in the workplace environment requires the human workforce to adapt to the workplace changes. A rising concern is the role of older workers and how smoothly can they integrate in workplace environments with automation and cobotics. To this extent, we introduce a statistical model based on entropy and human factor sustainability concept. The aim of the proposed model is to calculate the level of uncertainty inside a collaborative workplace by computing the probability of error of human workforce. The probability is calculated by utilising the parameters and variables that governs the interactions between human operators and robotics – cyber systems. This computational model was tested in a complex workplace framework by usage of advanced ICT technologies and tasks of increased complexity. Results show that the age factor plays a role in the uncertainty inside the workplace
The Sustainable Role of Human Factor in I4.0 scenarios
No full textThe ageing of working population is the byproduct of the global recognized trend of the general population ageing. The decline of elder human operators' capabilities is a main subject concerning industrial engineering and management in the ongoing 4th Industrial revolution and the introduced new technologies. In this paper, the concept of human factor sustainability inside manufacturing line is explored. It is discussing the theoretical fundamentals of a complexity based states loop to be tested inside 4.0 frame. This is pointing on advanced ICT technologies for ageing workforce management in manufacturing lines. The paper starts with a systematic literature review on the ageing workforce inside industries highlights the human capabilities deterioration, knowledge and experience management of ageing workers. The review is used as the key trace of the modified human factor sustainability concept including Physical, Behavioural, Mental and Psychosocial dimensions. Those are related with the age factor while discussing about traits and entropy based information probability. Furthermore, the proposed formula of Human Factor (HF) probability with a context based application is discussed. Finally, some conclusion remarks will be given, and the future agenda will be proposed based on the collaborative work scenarios
A scoping review of human robot interaction research towards Industry 5.0 human-centric workplaces
No full textInteraction between humans and robots in the workplace garners interest in recent years due to the introduction of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 frameworks. A scoping review was performed aimed at investigating the effect of robot design features on their human counterparts. In the analysis of the 32 identified articles, the robot design features used in the literature are shown along with the effects on the operators. Results showcased the many to many relationships between robot design features and effects on operators. Robot appearance, for example, and capabilities play a role in the operators' perception and expectations of their capabilities based on the task and subsequently perceived reliability and safety. Communication capabilities between operators and robots is an integral part for teamwork and performance as it can affect work processes. The paucity of papers empirically addressing human robot interaction as a system is consistent with results from previous literature, indicating the need for more research. The results of this investigation can prove useful in the form of advice to designers and practitioners, such as the operator's involvement in implementation, knowledge on robots' capabilities and training. Research gaps identified are discussed, as well as future research directions
Mapping Uncertainty Sources Affecting Circularity: A Holonic Approach
No full textPursuing sustain ability, the traditional 'take- make-use-dispose' economy model is moving towards a circular approach by introducing the reverse flow for recovery of End- of-Life (EOL) or End-of-Use (EOU) products. This circularity of parts and information between industry and market has generated the Closed-Loop Supply Chain (CLSC). Circularity enhances reuse/recycle of parts and materials and products. However, it increases complexity in the supply as it inputs uncertainty sources regarding the returning and outgoing state of products, the required recovery processes, the expected consumer behavior and the unstable market trends. In this paper, an investigation of the uncertainties affecting CLSC and remanufacturing was selected. Authors aim at mapping, and reporting in connectivity, the sources of uncertainty affecting remanufacturing systems in order to identify the connections and causality relations between them. A holonic representation of the CLSC was elaborated for potential interdependencies assessment. Thus, a map of the uncertainties is then designed in the form of a labyrinth connecting the uncertainty drivers with the corresponding entities/holons: markEt, Consumer, Management, pRoduct and Process. The map is configured as a decision-support tool for application in remanufacturing context. The map allows to control the mutual effects between uncertainty sources in remanufacturing business environments
The CACTUS approach: Organizational approach for sustainability
No full textSmart Manufacturing acts on production systems performances while applying data identification, relevance selection, hierarchy categorization in a technology-driven approach. It makes use of computer integrated systems and information technology and sensors to enable plants while-in an Industry 5.0 perspective-promoting sustainable and human-centric workplace. In this work, we present a conceptual approach (named “Cactus”) that utilizes smart manufacturing and industry 5.0 logic on unconventional plants. The Cactus approach aims at developing a safe, sustainable and adaptable workplace for both small, medium and large factory units in the fast-paced market. Like the cactus adapts itself to live in the driest areas of the world accumulating and reducing the water consumption, and uses its spines to defend against herbivores, the smart Cactus approach reduces the utilization of resources achieving sustainability and minimizing the negative impact on environment through disassembly of EoL products, remanufacturing and recycling while, at the same time, protecting operators from accident and injury. This approach requires collaboration between human and robot to make the production environment safe and effective, integrating human flexibility and robot precision and repeatability. The adaptability and resilience are achieved by utilizing sensors, interoperability and collaboration for flexible and rapid changes in the workplace, following the needs, and changing requirements of the market. The communication is important as it connects the operations management with direct and reverse logistics and with customers. The transparency at the workplace plays significant role for the plant, the human operators, managements and customers, as all the agent involved understand the management vision, operation rules and the fluctuations in supply chains, empowering also the digital skills of the operators. The usability of systems is improved by utilizing sensors and artificial intelligence to increase reliability with forecasting and continuous optimization of both technical and social parts of the workplace environment
Selective Complexity Determination at Cost Based Alternatives to Re-manufacture
No full textThe rise in demand and price for raw materials is pushing manufacturing industries to look for new ways to secure parts and products for their production while keeping the expenses low. Remanufacturing as the manifestation of circular paths can contribute towards sustainability (in terms of extension of use and reduction of waste). This work proposes a decision-support system to select, through adaptability, product and parts for remanufacture. It makes use of complexity analysis and production capacity (i.e., demand) to quantify costs. The complexity level was related with (i) characteristics of components and (ii) disassembly transitions. The decision system is conceived to assess, through inspection, the potential of a product/part for re-manufacturability based on failure pattern and recoverable rate. The re-manufacturability is evaluated, on cost alternatives, as per regeneration using additive or subtractive manufacturing, reuse of components/parts, recovery of materials, disposal. The additive alternative was analyzed over complexity (suggesting alternatives while estimating costs vs. complexity) which increases interest in the applicability to recover complex forms of limited (unplanned) demand. To demonstrate the applicability, authors quantified costs involving the remanufacturing of gear pumps parametrizing parts on a complexity amount after a relative product recyclability selection. Results evaluate (dis)assembly and regeneration across main feature assessment
Human gesture system in Human Robot Interaction for reliability analysis
No full textControlling and fastening, under noise and poor lightings conditions, the communication inside the workplace between operators and robots and/or machines is essential to make robust collaborative sets. Humans can control their task by making use of speech and gestures while machine and robot can adapt to human beings by regulating movements, space accessibility and contingencies. This acts on quality and productivity of process in different context (robotic surgery, dis/assembly task, virtual control, augmented training) and un-clustered jobs (as per maintenance actions) maintenance. Safety and reliability are benefitted from robust communication, especially in flexible working environments where there are no physical barriers between human and robots. Due to the dynamic interactions, the complex workplace faces increased uncertainty, which in turn increases the probability of human-system error. In this work, we explore the use - with an integrable, non-invasive, configurable and open access solution - of Machine Learning algorithms paired with Computer Vision to investigate human operators' fatigue and its possible use in understanding reliability inside the workplace. We propose a solution to integrate gesture recognition in collaborative robotics by controlling robot actions remotely by acting on the bi-direction (stopping robots and/or warning humans) perceived adaptability level with the intent of further investigating reliability in the workplace. (C) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V
The Entropic Complexity of Human Factor in Collaborative Technologies
No full textIn recent years manufacturing and assembly lines are undergoing workplace changes with a scope to adapt to the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) design principles. Automation of manufacturing, collaborative robots (cobots), interconnection of cyber physical systems (CPS), cloud computing, big data analytics and Augmented/Virtual reality (AR/VR) are some of the technologies that are being introduced in industry. Human operators are required to adapt and integrate into those new environments. Human operators should be flexible in their work-tasks, upgrade their skillset and be able to act as a safeguard entity in this complex and dynamic environment. A recent shift in paradigms, the Industry 5.0 concept, focus on the sustainability of the human factor inside the technologies that I4.0 framework introduced, and relates to the ageing workforce issue and the change in individuals’ capabilities. Productivity and safety of the ageing operators in the new workplace environment is causally related to their capabilities. In this research paper, we (i) study the interactions of human operator inside the “smart” workplace and (ii) develop a model using the entropy concept of statistical mechanics. This model can be utilized in the evaluation of human factor inside the complex environment by computing the probability of error based on human operator capabilities
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