Kollaborativa robotar är en central utmaning vid industriell utveckling. Problemet idag är att industrirobotar inte är anpassade för ett nära samarbete med människa och säkerhetsgrindar är ett behov. Denna studie fokuserar på att utveckla en emuleringsmodell som kan demonstrera ett sådant samarbete utan behov av säkerhetsgrindar. Projektet bygger på konceptet (virtuell idrifttagning) som handlar om att använda emuleringsverktyg för att utveckla en digital tvilling som är en kopia av ett fysiskt system. Med hjälp av modellen kommer systemets funktioner och programkod testas och valideras innan en verklig implementation utförs. På uppdrag av högskolan i Skövde utfördes examensarbetet för att undersöka möjligheten om ett nära samarbete mellan en människa och industrirobot i en virtuell miljö. I studien har två olika metoder utvecklats för att undersöka möjligheten till ett samarbete men också utveckla en emuleringsmodell. Med detta har operationslistor skapats för att tydliggöra människan respektive roboten arbetsuppgifter. Sedan skapades process scenarier för att demonstrera hur ett sådant samarbete kan ske i en virtuell miljö. En fungerande emuleringsmodell där människa och robot samarbetar, levererades till högskolan i Skövde. Genom att använda emuleringsmodellen kan högskolan skapa och testa olika lösningar innan en implementation av ett verkligt system sker. Slutligen föreslås en emuleringsmetod som kan användas för att utveckla en digital tvilling. / Collaborative robots are a key challenge in industrial development. The problem today is that industrial robots are not adapted for close collaboration with humans and security gates are a need. This study focuses on developing an emulation model that can demonstrate such collaboration without the need for security gates. The project is based on the concept (virtual commissioning) which is about using emulation tools to develop a digital twin that is a copy of a physical system. With the help of the model, the system's functions and program code will be tested and validated before a real implementation is performed. On behalf of the University of Skövde, the thesis work was carried out to investigate the possibility of a close collaboration between a person and industrial robot in a virtual environment. In the study, two different methods have been developed to investigate the possibility of a collaboration but also to develop an emulation model. With this, operating lists have been created to clarify the person and the robot work tasks. Process scenarios were then created to demonstrate how such collaboration can take place in a virtual environment. A functioning emulation model in which man and robot collaborate, was delivered to the University of Skövde. By using the emulation model, the university can create and test different solutions before an implementation of a real system takes place. Finally, an emulation method is proposed that can be used to develop a digital twin.

Nowadays, robots have become of high importance within the manufacturing industry, as well as programming methods have evolved to adapt to the current necessities. Due to the great number of complex concepts in Robotics, the learning curve of actual robotic software can be steep for inexperienced programmers, and previous training is required. However, training that requires the use of real robots is not always available for common users because of the difficult access to the machines. In parallel, new and more powerful Mixed Reality (MR) devices have been developed, expanding the possibilities of path planning. In this project, a MR application to support robot programming for welding purposes is developed, where the targets are placed according to a work object and a welding piece. Within this application, the user can interact with several menus and objects to program the path, which can be configured and simulated in the virtual environment with reachability checking. Paths can also be exported to the real robot, where they are conducted with accurate performance. Considering the learning process, a guide can be activated to show recommended steps, and it is possible to jog the virtual robot to comprehend robot motions. In addition, two experiments are conducted to test the spatial mapping and marker detection capabilities. Finally, the benefits, limitations, and flexibility of the application are discussed considering its impact on humans, while the user experience is evaluated with a survey for further analysis. The resulting application allows the user to generate, configure and export paths through the MR environment and test them in a real robot.

This report studies how a digital twin can be utilized through offlinerobot programming and simulation for a robot packaging line;additionally, the advantages and challenges of a robot digital twin arereported. This thesis project and the robot simulation is done incollaboration with Ikea Industry.The obtained result was in form of a digital twin which is a digital copyof a physical robot cell at Ikea Industry’s packaging line. The resultsshow that a digital twin can indeed be utilized for layout planning androbot optimization. An energy consumption chart which depends on thetime taken to package ten boards was created. This chart can be used forfurther optimization of the robot cell.The study also shows that a digital twin can save time and money,especially in the design phase, for medium to small companies that donot have the resources to create a dedicated physical robot cell fortesting.

Assembly processes are an integral part of many industries, including manufacturing and production. These processes typically involve the use of robots and automated equipment to perform tasks such as picking, placing, and joining components. One solution is Mixed Reality (MR), which combines virtual and real-world elements to create an immersive environment for the operator. MR technology can be used to guide operators through the assembly process, providing real-time feedback and instructions, as well as allowing them to program the assembly process and adjust as needed.  The project was focused on developing a user interface for the Hololens 2 glasses that would allow operators to select different tools and robots and configure targets and processes for an assembly station. The team also developed a system to send information about targets, paths, and joint values to the virtual and real robot, which allowed operators to easily program the robot to perform the assembly process. It was possible to develop and test the MR system in a real-world assembly setting, evaluating its effectiveness in improving the efficiency and accuracy of the process. This project wants to demonstrate the potential of MR technology for improving assembly processes and to provide a proof-of-concept for future development in this field. / <p>Utbytesstudenter</p>