Abstract

One of the key interesting features of collaborative robotic applications is the potential to lighten the worker workload and potentiate better working conditions. Moreover, developing robotics applications that meets ergonomic criteria is not always a straightforward endeavor. We propose a framework to guide the safe design and conceptualization of ergonomic-driven collaborative robotics workstations. A multi-disciplinary approach involving robotics and ergonomics and human factors shaped this methodology that leads future engineers through the digital transformation of a manual assembly (with repetitive and hazardous operations) to a hybrid workstation, focusing on the physical ergonomic improvement. The framework follows four main steps, (i) the characterization of the initial condition, (ii) the risk assessment, (iii) the definition of requirements for a safe design, and (iv) the conceptualization of the hybrid workstation with all the normative implications it entails. We applied this methodology to a case study in an assembly workstation of a furniture manufacturing company. Results show that the methodology adopted sets an adequate foundation to accelerate the design and development of new human-centered collaborative robotic workstations.

Highlights

  • In industrial contexts with a manufacturing component, the workforce is exposed to several occupational risk factors [1]

  • We look into an assembly workstation with known physical ergonomic risk and elaborate on the process that drives the design of a new collaborative robotics workstation

  • We adopted a framework to guide the digital transformation process of repetitive manual handling operations (MHO) workstations. The applicability of this human–robot collaboration (HRC) design methodology extends beyond these task types

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Summary

Introduction

In industrial contexts with a manufacturing component, the workforce is exposed to several occupational risk factors [1]. It becomes fundamental to create human-centered approaches to supthe implementation of HRC in industrial contexts. Human factors must be port the implementation of HRC in industrial contexts. Previous studies present important guidelines and frameworks to the design of HRC workstations [11,19,20]. This cooperation focused on a niture manufacturing company are presented and discussed This cooperation focused on real and specific problem related to a manual assembly workstation. The framework was defined by the team, and it was applied in a real-industry case study, considering standardization and research team, and safety it was and applied in a real-industry case study, considering standardizalegal requirements, physical ergonomic criteria.

Method and Materials
Framework
Characterization of the Initial
Risk Assessment
Requirements Definition
Development of Concepts for the Hybrid Workstation
Characterizationofofthe theInitial
Perceived
Anthropometric
10. Participant
Tested
Lower RULA indicate lower riskposition associated with the evalucondition
Conclusions and Future Work
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