A Methodology for Flexible Implementation of Collaborative Robots in Smart Manufacturing Systems

• DOI: 10.3390/robotics11010009
• Publication Date: 2022-01-10T04:08:26Z
• Authors: Hermes Giberti; Tommaso Abbattista; Marco Carnevale; Luca Giagu; Fabio Cristini
• Keywords: Production line

Small-scale production is relying more and on personalization flexibility as an innovation key for success in response to market needs such diversification of consumer preferences and/or greater regulatory pressure. This can be possible thanks assembly lines dynamically adaptable new requirements, easily reconfigurable reprogrammable any change the line. In automated lines, where traditional automation not applicable, human robot collaboration established, giving birth a kind industrial craftsmanship. The idea at base this work take advantage collaborative robotics by using robots other generic tools. To overcome need complex programming, identified literature one main issues preventing cobot diffusion into environments, paper proposes approach simplifying programming process while still maintaining high through pyramidal parametrized exploiting features. An Interactive Refinement Programming procedure described validated real test case performed pilot Building Automation department ABB Vittuone (Milan, Italy). novel ingredients are first translation phase, carried out engineers processes who convert sequence operations preliminary code built operations, followed on-line correction non-expert users interact with machine define input parameters make robotic runnable. second step do competence code. Moreover, from economic point view, standardized way assessing convenience investment proposed. Both technical results highlight improvements comparison approach, demonstrating possibility open further opportunities when small/medium batch sizes involved.