scholarly journals Methodology for the definition of the optimal assembly cycle and calculation of the optimized assembly cycle time in human-robot collaborative assembly

2021 ◽  
Vol 113 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 2369-2384
Author(s):  
Luca Gualtieri ◽  
Erwin Rauch ◽  
Renato Vidoni
Keyword(s):  
Work Conditions ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Human Machine Interaction ◽  
Industrial Case Study ◽  
Manual Assembly ◽  
Industrial Assembly ◽  
Collaborative Assembly ◽  
Product And Process ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Optimal Assembly

AbstractIndustrial collaborative robotics is an enabling technology and one of the main drivers of Industry 4.0 in industrial assembly. It allows a safe physical and human-machine interaction with the aim of improving flexibility, operator’s work conditions, and process performance at the same time. In this regard, collaborative assembly is one of the most interesting and useful applications of human-robot collaboration. Most of these systems arise from the re-design of existing manual assembly workstations. As a consequence, manufacturing companies need support for an efficient implementation of these systems. This work presents a systematical methodology for the design of human-centered and collaborative assembly systems starting from manual assembly workstations. In particular, it proposes a method for task scheduling identifying the optimal assembly cycle by considering the product and process main features as well as a given task allocation between the human and the robot. The use of the proposed methodology has been tested and validated in an industrial case study related to the assembly of a touch-screen cash register. Results show how the new assembly cycle allows a remarkable time reduction with respect to the manual cycle and a promising value in terms of payback period.

Territorial capital as a company intangible

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariachiara Barzotto ◽  
Giancarlo Corò ◽  
Mario Volpe
Keyword(s):  
Great Difficulty ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Capital Growth ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
A Company

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, to explore to what extent being located in a territory is value-relevant for a company. Second, to understand if a company is aware of, and how it can sustain, the territorial tangible and intangible assets present in the economic area in which it is located. Design/methodology/approach – The study presents an empirical multiple case-study, investigating ten mid-/large-sized Italian companies in manufacturing sectors. Findings – The results indicate that the sampled manufacturing companies are intertwined with the environment in which they are embedded, both in their home country and in host ones. The domestic territorial capital has provided, and still provides, enterprises with workers endowed with the necessary technical skills that they can have great difficulty in finding in other places. In turn, companies support territorial capital generation through their activities. Research limitations/implications – To increase the generalisability of the results, future research should expand the sample and examine firms based in different countries and sectors. Practical implications – Implications for policy makers: developing effective initiatives to support and guide a sustainable territorial capital growth. Implications for managers and investors: improving managerial and investors’ decisions by disclosing a complete picture of the enterprise, also outside the firm boundaries. Originality/value – The study contributes to intangibles/intellectual capital literature by shedding light on the importance of including territorial capital in a company’s report to improve the definition of the firm’s value. Accounting of the territorial capital would increase the awareness of the socio-economic environment value in which companies are located and its use.

scholarly journals Lean & Green on Industry 4.0 Context – Contribution to Understand L&G Drivers and Design Principles

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 1214-1229
Author(s):  
Lenin John ◽  
Manuel Sampayo ◽  
Paulo Peças
Keyword(s):  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Design Principles ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Industrial Firms ◽  
Systems Implementation ◽  
Sustainability Concept ◽  
Proper Definition ◽  
Definition Of

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the implementation of Lean & Green (L&G) in an Industry 4.0 (I4.0) environment can enhance the potential impact of the L&G approach and help manufacturing companies moving towards higher operational and sustainable performances. The research work developed here shows that although a proper definition of L&G is neither exposed worldwide nor explicitly implemented under that name, the current industrial firms are deeply concerned about the demanding challenge of keeping businesses flexible and agile without forgetting strategies to minimize the acceleration of climate change. So, one contribution of this paper is the identification and characterization of L&G drivers and design principles, supporting a robust and well-informed L&G systems implementation. As inferred from the research work, this challenge demands high quality and updated data together with assertive information. Thus, the implementation of L&G in I4.0 contexts is the answer to overcome the identified barriers. Likewise, an L&G system contributes to overcoming the challenges of I4.0 implementation regarding the triple bottom line sustainability concept. Consequently, another contribution of this paper is to depict why an L&G system performs better in the I4.0 context.

scholarly journals A Reliable Turning Process by the Early Use of a Deep Simulation Model at Several Manufacturing Stages

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gorka Urbikain ◽  
Luis Norberto López De Lacalle ◽  
Mikel Arsuaga ◽  
Alvaro Alvarez ◽  
Miguel A. Alonso
Keyword(s):  
Machine Tools ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Machining Processes ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Direct Benefits ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Right ◽  
Machining Operations ◽  
Physical Laws ◽  
Manufacturing Problems

The future of machine tools will be dominated by highly flexible and interconnected systems, in order to achieve the required productivity, accuracy and reliability. Nowadays, distortion and vibration problems are easily solved in labs for the most common machining operations by using models based on equations describing the physical laws of the machining processes; however additional efforts are needed to overcome the gap between scientific research and the real manufacturing problems. In fact, there is an increasing interest in developing simulation packages based on “deep-knowledge and models” that aid machine designers, production engineers or machinists to get the best of the machine-tools. This article proposes a methodology to reduce problems in machining by means of a simulation utility, which uses the main variables of the system&process as input data, and generates results that help in the proper decision-making and machining planification. Direct benefits can be found in a) the fixture/clamping optimal design, b) the machine tool configuration, c) the definition of chatter-free optimum cutting conditions and d) the right programming of cutting toolpaths at the Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) stage. The information and knowledge-based approach showed successful results in several local manufacturing companies and are explained in the paper.

scholarly journals Cognitive Ergonomics of Assembly Work from a Job Demands–Resources Perspective: Three Qualitative Case Studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12282
Author(s):  
Matilda Wollter Wollter Bergman ◽  
Cecilia Berlin ◽  
Maral Babapour Babapour Chafi ◽  
Ann-Christine Falck ◽  
Roland Örtengren
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Assembly Work ◽  
Physical Loading ◽  
Holistic Understanding

In manufacturing companies, cognitive processing is required from assembly workers to perform correct and timely assembly of complex products, often with varied specifications and high quality demands. This paper explores assembly operators’ perceptions of cognitive/mental workload to provide a holistic understanding of the work conditions that affect cognitive demands and performance. While the physical loading aspects of assembly work are well known, most empirical literature dealing with cognitive/mental loading in manufacturing tends to examine a few particular aspects, rather than address the issue with a holistic system view. This semi-structured interview study, involving 50 industrial assembly operators from three Swedish companies, explores how assemblers perceive that their cognitive performance and well-being is influenced by a wide variety of factors within the context of mechanical product assembly. The interview transcripts were analysed using a priori coding, followed by bottom-up Thematic Analysis. The results indicate that a variety of systemic effects on assemblers’ cognitive performance can be classified as job demands or resources. Quite often, the absence of a resource mirrors a related demand, and “good assembly conditions”, as described by the interviewees, often re-frame demands as desirable challenges that foster motivation and positive feelings towards the work. The identified demands and resources stem from task design, timing, physical loading, intrinsic and extrinsic motivators, social teamwork and the product’s “interface” design. Despite organisational differences and conditions between the three companies that took part in the study, the results are largely consistent.

scholarly journals Lean Companies Employed Assembly Workers Train with New Approches

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 574-579
Author(s):  
Somesh Dhamija
Keyword(s):  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Shop Floor ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Complex Activity ◽  
The Core ◽  
Production Processes ◽  
Effective Training ◽  
Manufacturing Activity ◽  
Definition Of

LM has proven itself the production system that enhances shop floor efficiency. Furthermore, the current environment for production firms is accelerating the pace at which LM is implemented. The manufacture of lean is not easy to introduce. It is constant and complex activity. Assembly workers in production processes are the core of lean manufacturing activity. Training is known as vehicle to aid the implementation process. While the importance of training is known so far, there are only a few options for organizing effective training. The results of the survey of questions conducted inside UK manufacturing companies are examined. This article illustrates the definition of lean production and worker requirements in lean environment.

scholarly journals Technical dynamic capabilities in the opinion of Polish producers from the agricultural machines sector1

Management ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-284
Author(s):  
Bogdan Nogalski ◽  
Przemysław Niewiadomski ◽  
Agnieszka Szpitter
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Direct Relation ◽  
Agricultural Machinery ◽  
Empirical Level ◽  
Main Target ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Agricultural Machines

Summary The main aim of this paper is to develop a model of key technical dynamic capabilities providing implementation flexibility of manufacturing companies of the Polish agricultural sector. Achieving the main target required to formulate sub-targets, to which the following have been included: the query of subject literature remaining in a direct relation to the topic of the research, which, in the authors’ intention, will find its expression in the developed definition of technical dynamic capabilities. At the design level, it is essential to search for the answer to the question: what technical capabilities imply dynamic flexibility of the Polish manufacturers of the agricultural machinery sector?, while, at the empirical level, to prioritize individual technical dynamic capabilities and determine what deficiencies in this area are characteristic for the studied companies.

Organizational Effects of Information Technology

2010 ◽  
pp. 157-173
Author(s):  
Johan Tetzlaff ◽  
Jonny Holmström
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Change ◽  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Paper Mill ◽  
Production Quality ◽  
Organizational Effects ◽  
Increase Productivity ◽  
Product And Process ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Impact

The aim of this chapter is to better understand the enabling and inhibiting impacts IT has on lean manufacturing. This chapter provides a rich picture of a paper mill producing liner reels and the impact of a reel administration system on the manufacturing process. It is important that an IT tool supporting lean manufacturing reflects its organization. When it does the IT tool can act as an enabler of organizational change that in turn increase productivity and the production quality, when it fails to do so it inhibits organizational change and hampers the quality of production. The conclusion is that framing the definition of high production quality regarding product and process is important and that teambuilding would be a contribution to this end by enhancing perspective taking among the employees.

AF 447 as a Paradigmatic Accident

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Antonio Chialastri
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Cognitive Demands ◽  
Human Machine Interaction ◽  
History Of ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Machine Interaction

In this chapter, the author presents a human factors problem for automation: why, when, and how automation has been introduced in the aviation domain; what problems arise from different ways of operating; and the possible countermeasures to limit faulty interaction between humans and machines. This chapter is divided into parts: definition of automation, its advantages in ensuring safety in complex systems such as aviation; reasons for the introduction of on-board automation, with a quick glance at the history of accidents in aviation and the related safety paradigms; ergonomics: displays, tools, human-machine interaction emphasizing the cognitive demands in high tempo and complex flight situations; illustration of the AF 447 case, a crash happened in 2009, which causes are linked to faulty human-machine interaction.

Planning and Scheduling Based on an Explicit Representation of the State of the Design

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre´s Felipe Melo ◽  
P. John Clarkson
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
The State ◽  
Explicit Representation ◽  
Industrial Case Study ◽  
Planning And Scheduling ◽  
State Action ◽  
Markov Decision ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Selection Of

This paper describes a computational model that provides planning information useful for scheduling the design process. The model aims to reduce uncertainty in the design process and with it the risk of rework. The view is taken that planning is concerned with choosing between alternative actions and action sequences, but not with resource allocation. The planning model is based on an explicit representation of the state of the design process, the definition of the design capabilities as a pool of tasks, and on the generation and selection of plans by evaluating their reliability. Classical decision theory is used for evaluating the plans: a state-action net is built and analyzed as a Markov decision process. The model produces plans based on qualified task dependencies. These plans can be used as a basis for manual and automated scheduling. In an example industrial case study, a reduction of over 30% in the expected rework was predicted.

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