A comparison of robot and human performances for simple assembly tasks

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to compare human and robot performances for a simple assembly operation by conducting a time study. Furthermore, a cost analysis of implementing a robotic work station was carried out. The task performed consisted of assembling two cubes connected in the center by a metal rod. The cubes were continously fed by two gravitational chutes and placed in a finished part bin after being assembled. Two work stations, one robotic (consisting of two robots) and one human, were built in order to achieve the objective of this study. Ten male volunteers participated in the experiment. Each person completed 100 work cycles. An equal number of work cycles was completed by the two robots. The results confirmed that while robots have no on-the-job learning, humans do. It was also observed that robots may be slower than humans and installing and operating a robotic work station may not be as profitable as people think. From the safety viewpoint, however, one may be able to justify the use of robots.