A 3D-Sensor renders machine control via gestures possible!

Humans develop a wide and valuable spectrum of individual experiences and practised skills during their working life. However, fine-motor motion sequences in hand assembly processes might become more unprecise due to physical changes in an older age. Innovative and intelligent workplaces are needed, so that older specialists are still able to work in production with engagement and fun.

Furtwangen, 16.12.2015 - IEF-Werner GmbH from Furtwangen develops together with the Fraunhofer institute and further project partners the new workplace of the future within the scope of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) assistance measures with focus “human-technics – interaction for the demographic change”. “The focus of activeTool is for example to facilitate the entry into work life for disabled people or to adapt the work environment to the needs of older employees” – Manfred Meyer, leader of the “New Technologies” department of the mechanical engineering company from the black forest IEF-Werner, reports. An intelligent workplace that actively coordinates the movements of tool, component as well as an arm support, is designed therefore. Sensors capture the movement pattern of the people locally at the work place, in consideration of data protection, and control the workplace system regarding its fine-motor movements automatically. “For the first time, we are developing an extensive and future directed solution, which will contribute to an increase of quality through an ideally simplified control within the day-to-day work.” – Meyer says. Employees with motor restrictions are able to further carry on precision work and bring in their valuable skills into the value creation process due to these intelligent workplaces. Furthermore such high-tech workplaces might support specialists, who have to carry out particularly difficult assembly operations of highest precision. Similar workplaces are already used in niche sectors, namely everywhere, where high-priced mechanical quality watches are produced in meticulous manual work.

The concept of IEF-Werner from Furtwangen is based on the insights of the BMBF projects. The experienced developers from the Black Forest realized an intelligent workplace which is particularly useful when a complex assembly task has to be carried out that can only be done manually. Especially if therefore both hands are needed. The so-called smartBENCH (bench from workbench) is currently able to provide up to twelve different components. The part dispenser is covered by a glass plate. Thus only one compartment is open for withdrawal. Moreover the assembly platform, which is installed in the centre of the workplace, is able to move in three directions (XYZ table).

The parts magazine as well as the assembly platform are controlled via minimal movements of the head. The head position is permanently watched by a customary 3D scanner. The mere hint of a movement is enough to direct the assembly platform into a particular direction, to lift it or to make the assembly platform supply a particular part. “The use of google class or an inclinometer at the head was overruled due to hygienic reasons! The system would have to be disinfected with every change of control personal” – Manfred Meyer explains. This is why a completely touchless control was realized. The assembly platform can be additionally equipped with a central passage. A camera can for example look through this central passage and capture the position of the component, which the worker is holding in his hand. With this information, the assembly platform can be manoeuvred – almost on its own – to the position where the worker is supposed to install the part.

E-Kanban is a further field of application for the intelligent workplace systems. Kanban is a method of production process control (PPC) with focus on material logistics. These production systems are often reliant on strong application of information technology because of their complexity and variant diversity. “If this is the case, it is called E-Kanban.” – Meyer says. The intelligent workplace system can be controlled directly from the PPC system. Like this the supply of the components takes always place in the right order. Furthermore systems that are equipped like this might regard the work place ergonomics. Hereby the workplace is adapted to the employees, who are in charge of the particular assembly task. The ergonomic adaptation takes place by changing the height of the table top accordingly. The movement can be either hydraulic or motoric.

Intelligent workplace systems are certainly nowadays on the fringes. However it cannot be forgotten, independently of the demographic change, which undisputedly will cause many changes: humans are needed, because they are vastly superior to the current forms of “artificial intelligence”. Recognizing as priceless company values and maintaining human characteristics such as creativity, flexibility, curiousness, imagination, tolerance and empathy as long as possible should be an aim of the technological developments of our society. Intelligent workplaces such as for example smartBENCH of IEF-Werner might contribute to reach this aim.