Exploring the operator’s perspective within changeable and automated manufacturing – A literature review

Abstract

The current industrial environment faces an increased demand for products to be delivered to market at a higher pace with high variety and customization. An increasing trend for automation and changeability to manage the increased volume of variants further intensify the challenge to design and integrate a manufacturing process that effectively incorporates the capacity to fulfil both aspects. The concept of reconfigurable manufacturing system (RMS) is a system designed to rapidly react to market opportunities and changes while enabling adaptability on a production system and machine level. RMS provides sufficient manufacturing flexibility in combination with dedicated manufacturing that strikes an effective balance between the two. RMS can utilize emerging technologies such as Automation, Integrated Internet of Things (IIoT), Cloud Computing, and Simulation to increase its ability to manage flexibility. Scalability can be achieved with automated manufacturing solutions such as human-robot collaboration (HRC). The operator, in these RMS that utilize emerging technologies, is an integral part of a manufacturing system, due to the interactivity between operators and reconfigurable or automated equipment. Extensive research has been conducted on technical solutions, safety challenges, ergonomics, and interfaces of the technology within HRC systems, yet limited research has been conducted on such systems from the operator’s perspective. The aim of this article is to explore current academic literature on the topic of HRC and analyse its relevance within changeability as well as identify potential knowledge gaps of implementing an HRC system within RMS from an operator’s perspective.