Ergonomics-based working flexibility for automated guided vehicle (AGV) operators

• Published in: International journal of advanced manufacturing technology 2019-07, Vol.103 (1-4), p.529-547
• Main Authors: Mohsin, S., Khan, I. A., Ali, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Automated guided vehicles; Automation; CAE) and Design; Cognition; Computer integrated manufacturing; Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD; Control boards; Engineering; Ergonomics; Factorial design; Flexibility; Human performance; Industrial and Production Engineering; Load cells; Mechanical Engineering; Media Management; Operator performance; Original Article; Recording; Signs and symptoms; Variance analysis
• ISSN: 0268-3768; 1433-3015
• DOI: 10.1007/s00170-019-03542-3

This research work focuses on the human working flexibility in a computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) environment. For experimental investigations, younger male operators from age group 19–24 years were interfaced with a component of CIM, the automated guided vehicle (AGV). A novel concept of load cell–based human performance recording system is introduced through this work. This is an almost first study in the field of CIM system interface utilizing the integration of load cell with LabVIEW program to determine cognition and motor actions based human performances. The concerned measurement system designed through this research can be utilized in other areas of control panel systems and also for recording and monitoring of human beings with symptoms of Alzheimer disease. For the purpose of investigations, search, select, and motor action times and the applied force were selected as parameters to determine human performance in AGV system environment. For operator performance data gathering, a full-factorial design containing 27 (3 3 ) experiments was applied. The Gray relational analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the gathered data. Design-Expert software was used to conduct ANOVA. Also, the experimental investigations were validated through a confirmation test. This work generates the ergonomic database for working flexibility in CIM and explored that the younger male operator’s (19–24 years) performance significantly affected with varying AGV height, an operator working distance and AGV panel angle.