User-friendly, requirement-based assistance for production workforce using an asset administration shell design

Abstract

Future production methods like cyber physical production systems (CPPS), flexibly linked assembly structures and the matrix production are characterized by highly flexible and reconfigurable cyber physical work cells. This leads to frequent job changes and shifting work environments. The resulting complexity within production increases the risk of process failures and therefore requires longer job qualification times for workers, challenging the overall efficiency of production. During operation, cyber physical work cells generate data, which are specific to the individual process and worker. Based on the asset administration shell for Industry 4.0, this paper develops an administration shell for the production workforce, which contains personal data (e.g. qualification level, language skills, machine access, preferred display and interaction settings). Using worker and process specific data as well as personal data, allows supporting, training and instating workers according to their individual capabilities. This matching of machine requirements and worker skills serves to optimize the allocation of workers to workstations regarding the ergonomic workplace setup and the machine efficiency. This paper concludes with a user-friendly, intuitive design approach for a personalized machine user interface. The presented use-cases are developed and tested at the ARENA2036 (Active Research Environment for the Next Generation of Automobiles) research campus.