Abstract
According to the assembly task model proposed by Stork and Schubö (2010), the assembly task is divided into commissioning and joining subtasks. Each subtask includes two sequential stages, namely, perception and response selection, and action. This division enables a convenient discussion of the influences of Augmented reality (AR) assistance on operators during different stages of an assembly task. Research results can provide a basis for the further analysis of the influence mechanism of AR assistance on an assembly task. This study is composed of three experiments. Experiment 1 explores the influences of AR assistance on the performance of the overall assembly task and the commissioning and joining subtasks. Combining a variation of task complexities, Experiments 2 and 3 discuss the influences of AR assistance on the different stages of the commissioning and joining subtasks. We found that AR assistance can shorten the time of the overall assembly task and subtasks (commissioning and joining) and reduce mistakes during these tasks. Moreover, AR assistance can decrease cognitive load in the commissioning subtask, but it increases cognitive load in the joining task with low complexity. In the perception and response selection stage of the commissioning and joining subtasks, AR assistance can shorten the time for users to recognize the target part and understand the assembly relation. This advantage is extremely significant for the high-complexity task. In the action stage of two subtasks, AR assistance can shorten the time for users to capture parts, but it prolongs the time for users to build parts.
Highlights
In the manufacturing industry, numerous assembly tasks must be accomplished manually, especially for highly customized or highly complicated products
(2) Formal experiment: The influences of Augmented reality (AR)-assisted assembly on the performance of the commissioning subtask with various complexities in different stages compared with screen-based documentation-assisted assembly were investigated
Effects of AR Assistance on the Overall Assembly Task and Commissioning and Joining Subtasks In Experiment 1, the AR assistance can shorten the time of the overall assembly task and commissioning and joining subtasks and can reduce errors in these tasks
Summary
Numerous assembly tasks must be accomplished manually, especially for highly customized or highly complicated products. Supporting users in using appropriate assistance systems can reduce the complexity of tasks, maintain smooth work processes, and prevent errors (Stork and Schubö, 2010; Gorecky et al, 2011). Information display and image superposition are characterized by situational perception, thereby implying that the presentation of virtual information is based on the object observed by users (Azuma, 1997; Azuma et al, 2001). This new technology can cooperate with human ability to provide effective and complementary tools that assist in manufacturing tasks (Lamberti et al, 2014). AR is one of the most beneficial applications in the traditional manufacturing and assembly field (Nee et al, 2012)
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