Dynamic scheduling of shared human-robot manufacturing operations

Abstract

The use of robots working with humans offers new possibilities in the execution of assembly tasks. A common model needs to be established describing how a task will be executed in a collaborative manner. The proposed methodology adopts a two-level breakdown of each job. On top, a job is analyzed in simpler tasks. Tasks are translated to specific operations, with the related constraints, to be carried out by a human or a robot. This approach enables a collaborative flexible manufacturing assembly station while supporting dynamic re-scheduling of manufacturing operations towards an adaptive and more efficient execution of the production schedule.