Design Considerations for Safe Human-robot Collaborative Workplaces

Michalos, George; Makris, Sotiris; Tsarouchi, Panagiota; Guasch, Toni; Kontovrakis, Dimitris; Chryssolouris, George

doi:10.1016/j.procir.2015.08.014

Cited by 264 publications

(142 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…This case study concerns the sealing of a refrigerator with the collaboration of human and robot (Michalos et al 2015). The active resources include two robots and two human operators that can cooperate with each other, while the passive resources include a conveyor and a working table.…”

Section: White Goods Industry Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

On a human–robot workplace design and task allocation system

Tsarouchi

Michalos

Makris

et al. 2017

International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing

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121

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This paper proposes a method for human-robot (HR) task planning, considering at the same time, the design of the workplace. A model for the representation of humans and robots as a team of active resources is proposed, while equipment such as working tables and fixtures are considered passive resources. The HR workload is structured in a three-level model. A multi-criteria decision-making framework is used for the formulation of alternative layouts and task allocations. Both analytical models and simulation are used for the estimation of the criteria values, allowing for the evaluation of the different alternatives. A software prototype has been implemented and tested in white goods and in automotive industry cases, demonstrating that the tool can identify good quality solutions in a short time frame.

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Section: White Goods Industry Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

On a human–robot workplace design and task allocation system

Tsarouchi

Michalos

Makris

et al. 2017

International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing

Self Cite

121

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…At the same time, information provision was used to deliver operators with instructions and details required to successfully fulfil manually executed tasks, mainly paper based (Wiesbeck (2015)). During recent years, collaborative robots have been developed, which, due to their on-board sensitivity as well as communicative and cognitive capabilities, are better than ever able to directly support humans physically in manufacturing processes, as shown in Michalos et al (2015) and can therefore be called technical assistance systems. Simultaneously, latest developments in the field of augmented reality as well as mobile and wearable devices have enhanced possibilities to provide information to operators right on the work process as needed and in a digital format -digital assistance systems emerge (Hold et al (2015)).…”

Section: Cyber Physical Assembly Sytemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Planning Operator Support in Cyber-Physical Assembly Systems

et al. 2016

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Abstract:Due to the complexity of assembly processes, a high ratio of tasks is still performed by human workers.Short-cyclically changing work contents due to smaller lot sizes, especially in the varied series assembly, increases both the need for information support as well as the risk of rising physical and psychological stress. The use of technical and digital assistance systems can counter these challenges. Through the integration of information and communication technology as well as collaborative assembly technologies, hybrid cyber-physical assembly systems will emerge. Widely established assembly planning procedures only facilitate the design of purely manual work system. In this paper, two new planning approaches for digital and technical support systems in cyber physical assembly systems will be outlined and discussed with regard to synergies and delimitations of planning perspectives. CYBER PHYSICAL ASSEMBLY SYTEMSAssembly systems especially in high-wage countries are faced with the challenge of tackling rising product and process complexity in terms of individualized customer needs and an aging society by demanding preservation of efficiency as well as productivity at the same time. Assembly systems, as they are established in the industry, are reaching their limits increasingly when encountering these challenges. By networking digital data and modern forms of information and communication technology with physical production and assembly processes, altered forms of assembly processes will be possible (Dombrowski et al. (2013)). Assembly processes will be upgraded in this way to adapt economically to requirements of costumer-individual products (Schlund and Gerlach (2013)). Cyber-physical systems (CPS) realize a connection between the physical and the digital world. CPS are composed of a surrounding physical object and an embedded computational system, which collects and processes digital data and interacts with physical processes via actuators. These systems are linked through digital networks and use available data and services globally. CPS are not (technically) closed units. They are defined as open socio-technical systems, which are characterized by a high degree of cross-linking of the physical, social and virtual world as well as by the intelligent use of information and communication systems (Geisberger et al. (2012)). By integrating assembly equipment with CPS-characteristics into assembly environments, so called cyber-physical assembly systems (CPAS) will emerge. Existing examples for such equipment are fastening tools that identify product variants through ICT and parameterize automatically in accordance or small parts containers which are able to determine their fill level and communicate with the parts supplier to assure accurate replenishment.In addition to cost pressure in global competition and the need for age-appropriate work environments, more frequent changes of work contents as a result of higher product variance, reduced lot sizes and shortened product life-cycles make it more di...

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“…This restriction is usually transformed into conservative speed limitations or bounds on driving torques of robots. 101 Nevertheless, it is important to know, even if the robot's internal components and software have been certified, that there is still a big part of the risk assessment process that has to be done by considering the application and the environment itself. However, there is no absolute answer to the question who should perform this assessment, and what to do first to reduce a risk at the design stage as there is no available design platform yet.…”

Section: Human-robot Collaborationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges and key technologies in robotic cell layout design and optimization

Zhang¹,

Fang²

2016

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C:

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Automatic operation system with industrial robots has become more and more popular, especially with the urgent requirement from 3C (Communication, computer and consumer electronics) manufactory. A robot cell, which often involves one or more robots and accessory equipment, can be regarded as part of the larger theme of cellular manufacturing. The objective that most interests manufacturers is the investment return rate. It is largely determined by the productivity of robotic cell, and the leading time of robotic production system. Therefore, a fast and efficient method to design a robotic cell layout with the maximum throughput for a given task is undeniably a worthy research topic. This paper attempts to discuss the challenges and key technologies in the robotic cell layout optimal design. The proper selection of configuration for task, manual operation skill learning and translation, collaborative design tool-chain, optimization in cell layout and operation scheduling, optimal end-of-arm tooling design, and human-robot collaboration are included in this discussion with existing or on-going problem-solving key technologies.

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Design Considerations for Safe Human-robot Collaborative Workplaces

Cited by 264 publications

References 9 publications

On a human–robot workplace design and task allocation system

On a human–robot workplace design and task allocation system

Planning Operator Support in Cyber-Physical Assembly Systems

Challenges and key technologies in robotic cell layout design and optimization

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