#Trade Shows & Events
HRC combines the strengths of humans and robots
Gripping Systems
How can the human/robot collaboration (HRC) be used in everyday production? Which safety concepts are available? How can a successful start be made? – These and other issues were the focus of the second SCHUNK User and Technology Dialog on the topic "Successfully introducing human/robot collaboration in the company." It became clear that ergonomic relief for humans in everyday work will become a central aspect of HRC in the future. The focus is increasingly on "human-centered automation," as expressed by Tea Barisiç of KUKA.
The range of participants was as diverse as the topics of the User and Technology Day. The leading robotics companies were represented along with system integrators, representatives of the automotive industry, mechanical and system engineering, research and the supplier industry. The upcoming robotics revolution is driving technologists, process owners, and works councils alike. Above all, the specific practical relevance proved to be a valuable focus of the event.
Partial automation gains in importance
From the point of view of Prof. Dr. Markus Glück, Chief Innovation Officer (CINO), as well as Managing Director of Research and Development at SCHUNK, four goals are dominant in the current discussion when it comes to introducing HRC: Improving ergonomics, making work processes more flexible, increasing efficiency, and improving efficiency as well as optimizing logistics, handling and loading processes. HRC scenarios are particularly effective with medium variance, quantities, and throughput. Instead of completely automating processes, partial automation is becoming increasingly important. "HRC means synergistically bringing together the strengths of humans and the strengths of robotics," said Glück.
Avoid over-engineering at HRC entry
Sebastian Höpfl, Head of Product Management Gripping Systems at SCHUNK, explained how standard-compliant and economic design of HRC applications can be achieved. Although the standards are well controlled, the main challenges lie in the practical implementation, and in particular in the validation of the transient contact according to ISO/TS 15066. It makes sense to contact the certifying organizations, such as Employers' Liability Insurance Association, TÜV or Dekra as soon as possible, and to discuss the planned applications. Basically he advised against over-engineering when starting HRC. For example, applications with safe hold, manual guidance or speed and distance monitoring were often much easier and faster than complex applications with force and power limitation. And you learn much faster.
Helmut Schmid, Managing Director & General Manager Western Europe, advised Universal Robots (Germany) on a pragmatic approach to standards and safety. "Products have to be simple and flexible" is his credo. The fact that SCHUNK has recently put a modular gripping system specifically for UR robots on the market, exactly meets this requirement: The different end-of-arm tools, such as grippers, quick-change interfaces, and force/torque sensors, can be connected with the robot arms via Plug & Work, and put into operation.
User friendliness and machine intelligence
Dr. Albrecht Höne, Director of Human Robot Collaboration at KUKA Germany, sees human/robot collaboration as a key to making production more flexible. The goal is a spontaneous, flexible, and scalable automation. Höne recommends subdividing the HRC process into different sections and providing it with different safety functions. In this way, KUKA implements, for example, applications in gearbox assembly, control of the gap size, when friction welding or plugging. Looking ahead, in his view, there was plenty of hidden potential, particularly in the fields of "easy to use" and "deep learning".
Practical assistance
How the biometric limit values according to ISO/TS 15066 can be determined and tested in practice was presented by Dr. Daniel Meixner from GTE Industrieelektronik GmbH. He introduced load cells with special springs and dampers, as well as pressure measurement methods.
During the factory tour, the visitors were able to experience from different live demonstrations, how different the HRC projects of the exhibitors were, and their challenges within their application. The various applications resulted in lively discussions on strategies, concrete approaches, and practical implementation. There was also enough time for playfully testing the possibilities and safety functions.
Involving employees timely into HRC projects
Tea Barisiç, from the field of corporate innovation at KUKA in Augsburg, Germany, demonstrated that HRC projects, in addition to all technology, must focus on humans in particular. On the basis of surveys at HRC workplaces, she pursued the question of how human-centered automation can succeed. Barisiç suggested to create a college environment for the employees, in which they could learn how to use the HRC systems in a playfully way, and without pressure, and thus to establish the needed trust in the new technology. She recommended that both the works councils as well as the occupational safety officers and the individual employees should be involved in the planning at an early stage. At the end of the event Markus Glück summed it up: "The relief for the people will be the great added value of HRC." And he further emphasizes: "We have to start with HRC, because the demographic change is right around the corner. In the near future, thousands of employees will retire, and therefore we have to safeguard the next generation now."
