AHFE Open AccessHuman Aspects of Advanced Manufacturing
Editors: Waldemar Karwowski, Stefan Trzcielinski
Topics: Advanced Manufacturing
Publication Date: 2022
ISBN: 978-1-958651-42-1
DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1002681
Articles
New ways to design next-generation CAM systems. An integrated approach of co-creation and process modeling
Computer-Aided Manufacturing systems are common means to increase the flexibility and efficiency of production planning in manufacturing companies. Digital transformation processes increase innovation cycles and product individualization [1] and, by doing so, the complexity of production planning and CAM systems use [2]. In the R&D project CAM2030 a new generation of CAM systems is developed by integrating innovative technologies (AI, cloud computing, evolutionary algorithms). The highly innovative process requires new methods. This paper presents an integrated methodological approach that enriches co-creation methods [3] by integrating visualization methods of process modeling [4]. The methodology was developed in three steps: concept development, concept realization, and concept evaluation. Concept development: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a remote co-creation workshop was designed based on two assumptions: (1) Co-creation at an early stage of the innovation process benefits from integrating users’ perspective and need information [5]. (2) Modeling and visualizing CAM planning processes allows to build up a shared understanding of the status quo. Human-centered work design experts compiled, modeled, and visualized the project-specific CAM planning process with the C3 modeling method [4]. Technical communication experts focused on methods and tools to gather need information (requirements for intelligent CAM systems) remotely. The workshop comprises three parts: warm-up challenge to identify no-go design features of CAM systems, discussion of the CAM planning process and model, and derivation of design requirements and automation potential. Each part uses different practices, e.g., teams working in separate breakout sessions, documenting their results in a shared document on Google Docs in real-time. Concept realization: The workshop was conducted in February 2021 via Zoom. The participants (CAM users, software developers, researchers) (n=21) were acquired within the project consortium. The workshop was audio- and video-recorded. The participants’ notes were stored in Google Docs. The transcribed audio data were enriched with additional information, e.g., participants’ notes. After the workshop, the data were used to integrate, categorize, and prioritize need information and to revise the process model. Concept evaluation: The concept was evaluated by the workshop participants and the workshop leader team guided by two research questions: Is this methodological approach suitable for innovation processes? What are the potentials and challenges of the approach? The approach proved to be highly productive. The integration of co-creation and process modeling seems to be a promising approach to involve diverse perspectives in the design of intelligent CAM systems. The process model supported the workshop participants in creating a shared understanding of the CAM planning process and identifying potentials for optimization and automation. The collaboration in heterogeneous groups yielded a structured catalog of requirements that will go into the further innovation process of CAM systems. Shortcomings concern the live adaptation of the process model as well as bringing together partial results from different groups and cluster ideas. Under pandemic conditions, the approach is practical to a limited extent. Future research will focus on how the nexus of co-creation and process modeling can be advanced to enrich the design of innovative software systems.
Nina Rußkamp, Claas Digmayer, Eva-Maria Jakobs, Florens Burgert, Marisa Schirmer, Susanne Mütze Niewöhner
Open Access
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Conducive Design as an Iterative Process for Engineering CPPS
To leverage the full potential of cyber-physical production systems (CPPS) in terms of flexibility and adaptability, the development of such systems must go beyond digitization and modularization. During the engineering and operation of CPPS, humans are essential enablers for the system’s changeability. In this paper, we propose a model of an iterative conducive design process that incorporates perspectives and competencies from several research disciplines such as process control, industrial engineering, computer science, and instructional and cognitive psychology. The goal of this approach is to enhance human-machine interaction and to realize efficient functioning of the system via a combination of the unique potentials provided by humans and the system. The proposed iterative approach is exemplified on a practical level in the engineering of a demonstration plant that tests safety systems for modular plants.
Franziska Kessler, Sebastian Lorenz, Felix Miesen, Jonas Miesner, Florian Pelzer, Marc Satkowski, Anselm Klose, Leon Urbas
Open Access
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Insights into human factors at a truck manufacturing company
This study was performed at a truck manufacturing company with three production lines. It employed a paper-based survey with two demographic questions, 16 Likert-type questions covering physical, cognitive and organisational human factors, and three qualitative questions to invite workers to state improvement ideas and current challenges and strengths. The response rate was 35%. The median across the 70 completed surveys for all human factors areas investigated was M=3 out of 4 maximum, except for the quality of instructions (M=2), physical load demands (M=2) and job variety (M=4). Statistically significant differences amongst the three production lines were observed for four human factors aspects. The years of work experience in the company were found significantly and negatively correlated with three human factors aspects. Most of the improvements suggested by the workers were related to organisational and procedural aspects. A similar focus was revealed for the challenges met, whereas collegial relationships were appreciated as the strongest area.
Ian Barros Guimaraes, Nektarios Karanikas
Open Access
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Understanding human factors to improve occupational safety in manufacturing: a case study
This paper investigates how the deviation of an industrial process from its optimal productivity, maintenance, and quality levels can lead to safety issues. An integrated approach was developed in 2021 to analyze the correlation between safety deficiencies and process inefficiencies. In this study, the proposed approach was adopted, aiming to identify potential connections between the safety issues that emerged from the previous investigations and the process inefficiencies. A case study describes the application of the proposed approach in an Italian company leader in the production of boilers for domestic and industrial heating and cooling systems. The findings show that the joint analysis of the results from the investigations in the proposed approach allows understanding the human factors in the investigated manufacturing process, i.e. the environmental, organizational, and job factors, and the human and individual characteristics which influence behavior at work in a way which can affect occupational safety.
Lucia Botti, Maniva Oliva, Riccardo Melloni
Open Access
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Conference Proceedings
Functionalized multilayer structures for burns treatment
Wound healing is a multiphase and multifactorial physiological process. The complexity of this phenomenon makes the healing process very difficult and painful due to several abnormalities. Apart from cellular and biochemical components, a number of external pathways also become active during repair and help the tissue to heal. Wound dressing is one of the main external effectors during the healing process of wounds. Wound is the disruption of the integrity of anatomical tissues caused by exposure to any factor [1-2]. The following characteristics are required for ideal modern wound dressings: bio-adhesiveness to the wound surface, ease of applications, easily sterilised inhibition of bacterial invasion, biodegradability, oxygen permeability, nontoxic, etc [3]. The balance between contraction and wound closure depends on the depth and location of the wound and the presence of complications, such as infection which could impair healing [4]. As a response to this problematic issue, as primary or secondary dressing, complex composites matrix for hemostasis and connective tissue regeneration were developed. The three-layered structure consists of outer layer I which plays the role of carrier, insulator and protector of the underlying layers, being elastic, resistant and submicro-porous (to block the physical access of microorganisms to the lesion), layer II – has the purpose of managing the liquid compositions in the lesion area, macroporous and compressible, with open pores and high tortuosity and layer III - impermeable substrate - non-adherent, biologically inert and microporous. The statistical indicators of the defining variables for each variant of textile structures (intended for layers I and III) are calculated, the histograms, the box plot graphs and the interactive spatial graphs, in the form of band type graphs are drawn. The obtaining of the substrate (II) based on hydrogel included an experimental plan with correlated factors, of the laticeal simplex type A {q, m}, with three factors (q=3) and four discretization intervals on the axes of the major simplex (m=4). The experimental matrix of the plan (dosed mass fractions) was designed, as well as the components of the mixtures. The plan was tested for optimality in D and A criteria. The measured experimental response was the apparent density of the hydrogel. The evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the textile structures was performed using standardized strains: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. The biocompatibility assessment of textile supports for layers I and III was performed by MTT viability test and the LDH cell integrity test. The in vitro study for testing the biocompatibility of the functionalized multilayer matrix showed that they are biocompatible because the phenomenon of cell adhesion was present, regardless of the cell line used. In vivo testing according to ISO 10993-6 used the model of thermal burn injury on white rats (Wistar albino). The treated rats showed a rate of rapid healing and at 7 days of treatment the closure of the wound was observed between 40% - 60%, with areas of tissue regeneration. Inhibition of the invasion of exogenous microorganisms has been noted.
Alexandra Gabriela Ene, Emilia Visileanu, Stelian Sergiu Maier, Diana Popescu, Alina Vladu
Open Access
Article
Conference Proceedings
Self-directed Shop Floor Teams for Industry 4.0
Pharmaceutical packaging processes are changing drastically in their characteristics from low order-mix with high volumes to a situation with a high order-mix with low volumes due to increasing individualization of products. This requires highly flexible automation concepts on the one hand and very flexible work organizations on the other. As part of Industry 4.0, a wide range of technologies are being researched and implemented. The work organization in the production of the future remains insufficiently researched. The performance potential of self-directed and agile teams has been confirmed in the field of knowledge work. The importance of self-direction and autonomous work teams has been emphasized in lean manufacturing in the past, but there is a lack of practical examples of how such organizational forms can look and which potentials can be realized regarding productivity, flexibility and employee satisfaction. Based on concepts of decentralized decision-making, shop-floor workers are empowered to take responsibility for the organization and control of processes. This paper presents a case study in which the planning and implementation of self-directed and agile teams in production was realized.
Bastian Pokorni, Erdem Gelec, Stephan Verhasselt, Stefanie Findeisen
Open Access
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Conference Proceedings
Realization of Logistics Operations Within Nigerian Manufacturing Industries
In understanding the impact of logistics functions and processes as an important source of competitive advantage and on the survival of manufacturing industries in both global and local market, the level of awareness of logistics activities must be conducted. Therefore, this study focused on assessing the level of awareness of logistics activities in Nigerian manufacturing industries. A field survey with a well-structured and self-administered instrument of information collection were used to get necessary information from the respondents. One hundred and fifty manufacturing industries were selected intentionally to represent the best state of logistics activities awareness within Nigerian manufacturing industries. The findings revealed that the total average awareness level of logistics activities within the Nigerian manufacturing industries is average. Also, transport logistics is the most popular form of logistics activities in Nigeria, followed by warehouse/distribution logistics, domestic logistics, after-sales logistics, and procurement logistics. The findings also revealed that fourth party logistics and green logistics are the least popular logistics activities in Nigeria. This is due to the lack of new and effective information flow in their logistics management processes. The study therefore recommends that stakeholders in the Nigerian logistics industry, business owners and manufacturing industries should adopt one or more forms of logistics functions in their core business activities to aid sustainability, competitive advantage, performance, and economic growth.
Ayodeji Dennis Adeitan, Clinton Aigbavboa, Oyindamola Cynthia Olubiyo, Adebayo Oluwasegun Adewole
Open Access
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