Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 840

Abstract: Due to the demographic change, hybrid work systems increasingly gain importance. Especially, robot based assistance systems show potential to respond individually to employee’s performance parameters. Existing technologies offer possibilities to capture individual performance parameters which can be transferred into a digital environment. Identified impairments, e.g. of the musculoskeletal system, can be used to design an individual work environment with human-robot collaboration that fits the employee’s needs to guarantee a low risk of physical harm due to work related strain. Following the employee’s capabilities, the simulation reveals stressful activities that can be transferred to the robot. Thus, the work system offers the opportunity to individually respond to the employee and the given tasks by creating a work situation that suits the employee’s preconditions. This paper presents an approach for capturing individual physical performance parameters in form of movement restrictions by a motion capturing system without markers and the transmission of the motion data into a digital human model. It will be shown how the simulation can be used to design a needs-based work place by integration of a robot based assistance system.

Abstract: The integration of lightweight robots and service robots into industrial work places forms the new area of industrial service robots characterized by the transformation of manual processes to human robot interactive processes. Still, it is highly difficult to decide which manual processes are qualified for automation or collaboration. Consequently, only few collaborative processes can be found in industry. The objective of the project MANUSERV is to support decisions towards this transfer by developing a tool that supports users to identify practical technical solutions. The tool is a combination of a planning system and a simulation system. The aim of the planning system is to select technically feasible solutions and generate task sequences that solve the problem. The simulation system verifies the proposed solution and evaluates it technically, economically, and ergonomically. Manufacturers of service robots can provide their service robot specifications to be included into the system selection process.

Abstract: Obtaining the cycle time of robots mostly comes along with a simulation of the system. Setting up those simulations is time intensive and the costs for corresponding tools are often too high for small and medium sized enterprises. For manual assembly there are systems like MTM (methods-time-measurement) to calculate the cycle time in an easier way without using expensive software. For robotic applications like handling, assembly, welding, machining, and painting, such methods do not exist. This paper describes a method of a robot cycle time estimation. Starting with an analysis of the processes regarding their finite process elements, the robot tasks are divided into general elements and process related elements. In a second step, all elements are analysed regarding their characteristics and described in a mathematical way. Finally, the elements are combined to a calculation system.

Abstract: Vibratory bowl feeders (VBF) are the most frequently used systems for automated sortingand feeding of bulk material. The current development process is time-consuming andexpensive, as it is done exclusively manually. Therefore, a method for physics simulationof VBF has been developed at the iwb which allows the shape optimization of predefinedorienting devices. On this basis, the presented paper introduces a physics simulationbased sensitivity analysis of the behavior of transported parts related to the topology ofthe orienting devices inside the VBF. These results provide a basis for the future developmentof an algorithm for the fully automated generation of orienting devices based on topology optimization.

Abstract: For complex automation tasks, the configuration and parametrization of both hardware and software components involves the main part of the required commissioning time. To simplify this process and significantly reduce the required expense, an integrated parameter and data management concept is proposed. Several advanced methods for an optimized process design simultaneously access a global parameter database. In this manner, the shared parameters are synchronized and verified to improve the performance and maximize the robustness of each individual method and, therewith, optimize the entire production process.

Abstract: Despite the increasing degree of automation many tasks are still performed manually, especially in production of individualized, sensitive or quality critical products. These tasks, e.g. tasks in or above head level, are often non ergonomic. Thus musculoskeletal diseases can occur. This paper presents a novel concept for a modular and wearable technical support system for reducing musculoskeletal stress. The support system which is based on the approach of Human Hybrid Robot (HHR) can be adapted easily to different users and activities. The system emphasizes on modularity and the use of soft materials for kinematic elements and interfaces in order to gain higher flexibility and increased human safety. The basic idea can be applied to various applications. The focus lies on a functional support system prototype for upper extremities. It comprises a Human-Machine-Interface using a vest equipped with soft kinematic elements as well as a control unit. Moreover, results from a biomechanical case study will be illustrated in order to confirm the ergonomic improvements, especially the comparison of the range of motion and the musculoskeletal stress during tasks.

Abstract: In consequence of Industrie 4.0, the application of new information and communication technologies is increasing. A central problem of industrial enterprises is the lack of any IT system which would provide required exercises concerning production planning and control (PPC). Therefore, several software systems are applied in manufacturing. Thus the demand arises to intelligently link the available and new IT systems in manufacturing. A multi-agent system offers a modeling concept for a planning support tool of PPC for the intelligent link of several systems and it increases the automation of planning processes. However, the disadvantage of multi-agent systems is that processes of autonomously acting agents are not comprehensible for humans. Nevertheless, in Industrie 4.0 the human shall be involved as the executive body or even as a decision maker. Therefore, this article describes an agent-based approach in which an agent system is used as an interface solution between IT systems and extended by a visualization approach in order to implement a partially autonomous support system for an agent-based PPC.