Automated Information Supply of Worker Guidance Systems in Smart Assembly Environment

The global megatrends of digitization and individualization substantially affect manufacturing enterprises. Assembly workers are exposed to increased process complexity resulting in physical and cognitive workload. Worker guidance systems (WGS) are used to overcome this challenge through output of information regarding what should be done, how it should be done and why it should be done. An unsolved scientific challenge in this context is efficient information supply of WGS. Information such as worker’s instruction texts, pictures or 3D representations are created by employees of the work preparation department and transferred to the WGS. Manual information supply is a time-consuming and complex process, which requires a high (non-value-adding) effort as well as comprehensive knowledge in handling 3D CAD modelling and software programming. This paper presents a novel approach to reduce the required manual effort in information supply process. A knowledge-based model is proposed that enables an automated information supply of WGS in smart assembly environment by means of algorithms and self-learning expert systems, which pursues a holistic and consistent approach without media breaks. The automated approach assists employees of work preparation department, which means they can concentrate on their essential core competencies instead of being busy, for example, creating assembly plans, instruction texts or pictures for individual WGS. Finally, the technical implementation as a software-based proof-of-concept demonstrator and sub-sequent integration into the IT environment of TU Wien Pilot Factory Industry 4.0 is outlined.