Partially automated assembly assistance system
Up until now, many tasks in the assembly process have needed to be completed manually for technical or financial reasons. In order to support workers in these repetitive and physically strenuous tasks, and in order to prevent errors from occurring, Fraunhofer IPA, together with four industry partners, has developed an “adaptive assembly assistant and interaction system using 3D scene analysis and intuitive human-technology-communication” (MonSiKo).
Its smart algorithms and powerful 3D sensors enable this partially automated assembly assistant system to recognize which step of the procedure is being carried out and inter- vene in the event of an error. For example, if the worker picks up the wrong component, a red light appears. “People maintain overall control of the process”, says Christian Jauch from the department Machine Vision and Signal Processing at Fraunhofer IPA. “Should they wish to adapt the procedure, the assistance system does not prevent them.” The worker receives detailed instructions on the touch-screen; he/she simply swipes the screen, and the next step appears, also making this a more straightforward method of learning new processes. As an alternative to the touch-screen, MonSiKo understands verbal commands such as “continue” or “finished” and can provide the information that is on the screen in verbal form.
Visitors to the Hannover Messe have the opportunity to try out MonSiKo for themselves via a demonstrator. Under supervision, they assemble a small plastic elephant comprising three different components. These components undergo ultrasonic welding before a robotic arm steers and shakes the elephant against an acoustic sensor. If no rattling is detected by the robot, everything has been assembled and welded correctly.
You can find MonSiKo in Hall 2 at Stand B22.