Application of speed and separation monitoring technique at automated assembly process

Abstract

The realization and implementation of a collaborative robotic system in the automotive industry has many advantages in productivity, product quality, and worker ergonomics, but worker safety aspects play a crucial role in these activities. This paper presents the results of ongoing research into developing an automated workplace for an assembly of industrial limit switches based on the cooperation between human and robotic systems. Operating speed and worker-robot separation monitoring methodology (SSM) was used as one of the available methods to reduce the risk of injury according to the technical specification ISO 15066 on collaborative method sharing space with humans. The virtual environment simulation aims to determine the SSM algorithm’s parameters to estimate the minimum protective distance between the robot and the operator. The cooperation between the human and the robot and the safety issues specified by the SSM system assumed operational safety and reduced the operator fatigue during the assembly process.