Challenges in Sustainable Manufacturing With Industrial and Collaborative Robots: A Case Study

Author(s):  
Romain Farel ◽  
Selma Kchir ◽  
Xavier Lamy ◽  
Mathieu Grossard

Automation of manufacturing process with robots is an industrial challenge, generally evaluated by the Return On Investment (ROI) that such a transformation could generate. However, the automation has a considerable cost particularly for SMEs, which makes a barrier to access and limits the motivation of facilitating the manual work of the operators, despite of nonergonomic and risky situations. In this study, supported by the European project HORSE, we went through the development of a robotic solution to assist the operator in the manufacturing. This component called programming-by-demonstration is integrated in both main categories of automation: industrial robot and collaborative robot (cobot). Both applications are tested and evaluated in a real manufacturing task (cutting cast pieces from foundry) and evaluated by the industrial end-user. The paper states on the application of the developed component, and concludes with the lesson learned.

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 397-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn Barnacle ◽  
Denise Cuthbert ◽  
Christine Schmidt ◽  
Craig Batty

Rising worldwide scrutiny of the PhD has focused on issues such as return on investment and career outcomes. This article investigates PhD graduate careers and knowledge transfer looking at the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS). Firstly, our extensive literature review of PhD graduate outcomes reveals limited knowledge of HASS careers and a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) bias. Secondly, our case study of graduates suggests HASS PhDs provide a vital conduit for end-user engagement and knowledge transfer. Our findings deepen knowledge about the careers of HASS PhDs by revealing pre-existing professional networks may be harnessed to inform end-user relationships throughout candidature and post-graduation. Contrary to dominant assumptions, these networks may endure even for graduates in the academy. This under-recognized phenomenon demonstrates the multi-sector knowledge transfer capacity of HASS researchers with implications for their research capability and career development needs and perceptions of the value of their research.


Author(s):  
Jun Huang ◽  
Duc Truong Pham ◽  
Yongjing Wang ◽  
Mo Qu ◽  
Chunqian Ji ◽  
...  

Human–robot collaborative disassembly is an approach designed to mitigate the effects of uncertainties associated with the condition of end-of-life products returned for remanufacturing. This flexible semi-autonomous approach can also handle unpredictability in the frequency and numbers of such returns as well as variance in the remanufacturing process. This article focusses on disassembly, which is the first and arguably the most critical step in remanufacturing. The article presents a new method for disassembling press-fitted components using human–robot collaboration based on the active compliance provided by a collaborative robot. The article first introduces the concepts of human–robot collaborative disassembly and outlines the method of active compliance control. It then details a case study designed to demonstrate the proposed method. The study involved the disassembly of an automotive water pump by a collaborative industrial robot working with a human operator to take apart components that had been press-fitted together. The results show the feasibility of the proposed method.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6944
Author(s):  
Emma Anna Carolina Emanuelsson ◽  
Aurelie Charles ◽  
Parimala Shivaprasad

With stringent environmental regulations and a new drive for sustainable manufacturing, there is an unprecedented opportunity to incorporate novel manufacturing techniques. Recent political and pandemic events have shown the vulnerability to supply chains, highlighting the need for localised manufacturing capabilities to better respond flexibly to national demand. In this paper, we have used the spinning mesh disc reactor (SMDR) as a case study to demonstrate the path forward for manufacturing in the post-Covid world. The SMDR uses centrifugal force to allow the spread of thin film across the spinning disc which has a cloth with immobilised catalyst. The modularity of the design combined with the flexibility to perform a range of chemical reactions in a single equipment is an opportunity towards sustainable manufacturing. A global approach to market research allowed us to identify sectors within the chemical industry interested in novel reactor designs. The drivers for implementing change were identified as low capital cost, flexible operation and consistent product quality. Barriers include cost of change (regulatory and capital costs), limited technical awareness, safety concerns and lack of motivation towards change. Finally, applying the key features of a Sustainable Business Model (SBM) to SMDR, we show the strengths and opportunities for SMDR to align with an SBM allowing for a low-cost, sustainable and regenerative system of chemical manufacturing.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 854
Author(s):  
Dalia Almaghaslah ◽  
Abdulrhman Alsayari ◽  
Saleh Ali Alyahya ◽  
Rana Alshehri ◽  
Khawlah Alqadi ◽  
...  

Introduction: Design thinking, an innovative problem-solving approach, has gained wide popularity in healthcare disciplines. The aim of this work is to improve outpatients’ experiences in hospital pharmacies in two hospitals in Asir region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: The design thinking approach, adopted from Stanford University’s D-School, was used in this study. Results: Several problems were identified: lack of comfortable environment in the pharmacies’ waiting area, lack of a queue management system, and workflow inefficiencies related to ordering and supplies of medicines. A prototype was proposed to overcome these challenges. Discussion and Conclusion: The design thinking approach helped in identifying end-user (patients visiting outpatient pharmacies) values and desires and provided an understanding of their struggles. It also proposed tailored solutions that could improve patients’ experiences while using the services of the outpatient pharmacies.


Author(s):  
Michal Kapinus ◽  
Zdeněk Materna ◽  
Daniel Bambušek ◽  
Vitězslav Beran
Keyword(s):  

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1896419
Author(s):  
Muhammad Hamad Sajjad ◽  
Khawar Naeem ◽  
Muhammad Zubair ◽  
Qazi Muhammad Usman Jan ◽  
Sikandar Bilal Khattak ◽  
...  

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