Automated simulation-based design of ergonomic workstations using RPA and Human-in-the-Loop decision making

Abstract

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders remain one of the most common causes of work incapacity and have a significant impact on personal performance and company productivity. To avoid and prevent physical overloads ergonomic workplaces are necessary. Their design and development are complicated because of a high number of regulations and recommendations for ergonomic design. It significantly depends on the experience of the designer. We present an approach for automated and context-dependent design of ergonomic workstations and to simplify the development process and to apply it to the individual's level of knowledge. Based on a use case from special machine manufacturing, we show how workstations can be generated automatically using CAD models of the assembly to be mounted. A human-in-the-loop approach combined with robotic process automation is pursued and integrated into the designing process to constantly check the ergonomics. This way, we shift the design of the workstation into the development process of the product to be assembled, enabling changes to the workstation or the assembly at an early stage.