A new cell production assembly system with twin manipulators on mobile base

Abstract

Since cell production system meets the frequent change of products, it has excluded automatic assembly systems. However, its benefits mainly depend on the operators' ability. As wage level of the operators stays high and availability of expertise turns difficult in Japan, a new assembly system has been developed since 2006 so as to combine both the competitiveness of human workers and automatic machinery. The characteristics consist of three key technologies: collaboration between a human operator and twin manipulators on a mobile base, information/physical support to an operator, and a safety system for the collaboration. The developed system improves flexibility and productivity both in frequent changes of production about complicated wire harness assembly.