Application of Principles of Work Structuring for the Planning of Robot Systems

Abstract The numerous examples of work structuring of the last 10 years have brought up many ideas as how to design production systems which are more human as well as economic. Three case studies are used to show the impact of these experiences, if applied to the design of production systems with both robots and human beings. All cases occured in medium sized companies and show the situation before the implementation, the new system itself and some typical problems. The examples show that job enlargement, job enrichment as well as the implementation of group work is possible as well as advantageous. In order to achieve satisfying robot solutions, several preliminary problems must be solved in advance: an “Industrial Robot” euphoria must be replaced by the common sense and a planning of “several aspects” must be replaced by an integrated planning process.