<p>This master thesis studies how much the cycle time, i.e. the time it takes for an industrial robot to perform a given task, can be reduced if an extra degree of freedom (DOF) is added to the robot system. The extra DOF consists of a linear track, which is supposed to be used in an optimal way. The problem has been studied using simulations in the robot simulation tool RobotStudio. </p><p>To be able to run an optimization in Matlab, with the RobotStudio simulation cycle time as the object function, communication between Matlab and RobotStudio has been set up with an interface written in Visual Basic. An algorithm has been developed to solve the problem. Two different optimization methods have been examined and compared. </p><p>The resulting algorithm has been applied to test cases. The results show that the cycle time in several cases can be reduced by 20-30 percent, if the movements along the track are optimized with the suggested method.</p>

This master thesis studies how much the cycle time, i.e. the time it takes for an industrial robot to perform a given task, can be reduced if an extra degree of freedom (DOF) is added to the robot system. The extra DOF consists of a linear track, which is supposed to be used in an optimal way. The problem has been studied using simulations in the robot simulation tool RobotStudio. To be able to run an optimization in Matlab, with the RobotStudio simulation cycle time as the object function, communication between Matlab and RobotStudio has been set up with an interface written in Visual Basic. An algorithm has been developed to solve the problem. Two different optimization methods have been examined and compared. The resulting algorithm has been applied to test cases. The results show that the cycle time in several cases can be reduced by 20-30 percent, if the movements along the track are optimized with the suggested method.

This report summarizes a Bachelor Degree Project in Product Design Engineering, carried out during the spring semester in 2007 by one student on the Product Design Engineering programme at University of Skövde. The project was performed as an assignment for Comfort Cooling AB, a company in Skövde that manufactures cooling clothes and products for medical use. The purpose of the project is to design a suitcase for laptops that is used also as a workstation. It has a cooler system, provided by Comfort Cooling that works with no external energy. It has a base made of foam sheet, to adapt it to the legs of the user. And it has as well all the normal features characteristically of a suitcase for laptops, such as pockets, handles and security features. The first step in the project was to perform market research in order to gather customer needs. It was found that the primary features of a laptop suitcase are that it is waterproof, that it is possible to carry the suitcase on ones back, that there are trays on both sides of the suitcase, and that the suitcase will be available in a range of patterns and colours. After that, the design of the possible solutions for each requirement started to be developed. Once all the requirements of the project were satisfied with different solutions, each one of them were evaluated in order to identify the solutions that in the best way met the stated product requirements. Finally a mock-up was produced for communicating the final design proposal and for enabling basic user trials to be carried out, as well as the final result, i.e. the design and the mock-up of the laptop suitcase. The report portrays the product design process and methods utilized in the project, as well as the final result (the mock up) of the laptop computer bag with integrated cooling effect and workstation.

<p>This report summarizes a Bachelor Degree Project in Product Design Engineering,</p><p>carried out during the spring semester in 2007 by one student on the Product Design</p><p>Engineering programme at University of Skövde. The project was performed as an</p><p>assignment for Comfort Cooling AB, a company in Skövde that manufactures cooling</p><p>clothes and products for medical use.</p><p>The purpose of the project is to design a suitcase for laptops that is used also as a</p><p>workstation. It has a cooler system, provided by Comfort Cooling that works with no</p><p>external energy. It has a base made of foam sheet, to adapt it to the legs of the user. And it</p><p>has as well all the normal features characteristically of a suitcase for laptops, such as</p><p>pockets, handles and security features.</p><p>The first step in the project was to perform market research in order to gather</p><p>customer needs. It was found that the primary features of a laptop suitcase are that it is</p><p>waterproof, that it is possible to carry the suitcase on ones back, that there are trays on both</p><p>sides of the suitcase, and that the suitcase will be available in a range of patterns and</p><p>colours. After that, the design of the possible solutions for each requirement started to be</p><p>developed. Once all the requirements of the project were satisfied with different solutions,</p><p>each one of them were evaluated in order to identify the solutions that in the best way met</p><p>the stated product requirements. Finally a mock-up was produced for communicating the</p><p>final design proposal and for enabling basic user trials to be carried out, as well as the final</p><p>result, i.e. the design and the mock-up of the laptop suitcase.</p><p>The report portrays the product design process and methods utilized in the project,</p><p>as well as the final result (the mock up) of the laptop computer bag with integrated cooling</p><p>effect and workstation.</p>

Este trabalho apresenta a aplicação de uma metodologia para estudos de postos de trabalho com o objetivo de reduzir desperdícios, aplicar melhorias de layout e consequentemente melhora da ergonomia de um posto de trabalho de uma indústria do ramo automotivo, visando o diagnóstico do processo em questão, encontrando assim, oportunidades para melhoria do mesmo. Para realizar este diagnóstico e identificar as melhorias pretendidas foi utilizada a ferramenta de análise de tempo MTM (Methods-Time Measurement), técnicas de balanceamento, ergonomia e estudo de layout. Atualmente há muitas empresas no mundo que utilizam o MTM (Methods-Time Measurement), que é um sistema de tempos pré-determinados. A eliminação dos desperdícios com a finalidade da redução de tempo é necessária para o aumento da produção que será aplicado em 2012, que tem como objetivo a passagem de 29 veículos por hora para 40 veículos por hora na linha de montagem. Para o estudo de caso, foram selecionados três postos, os quais são nomeados segundo suas operações principais. O primeiro deles, Filme CAPOT, compreende a colocação de filme protetor sobre o capot do veículo na saída da linha de montagem. O segundo, Filme TETO, corresponde à colocação do mesmo filme sobre o teto do veículo. Já o Posto ECOM é onde ocorre a liberação do veículo para comercialização. Utilizando a análise de posto com as ferramentas já listadas, foi possível diminuir o tempo necessário ao operador para que mesmo realize suas atividades e assim aumentar a capacidade produtiva da empresa em 48,9%, ou seja, passa-se de 31,1 para 46,3 veículos por hora. A ergonomia do espaço de trabalho teve sua avaliação global modificada nos postos de colocação de filme de proteção no CAPOT e TETO em função da modificação do layout dos postos propiciando aos operadores menores deslocamentos e posturas de trabalho mais ergonômicas que estão abordadas no corpo do trabalho. Temse também o ganho relacionado ao espaço físico, os três postos utilizavam, juntos, 300,9m do prédio da empresa já na situação proposta necessita-se apenas de 142,6m, uma redução de 52,6%. / This paper presents the application of a methodology for studies of work stations in order to reduce waste, implement improvements to layout and consequently improves the ergonomics of a work station at automotive industry, for the diagnosis of the case in question, finding opportunities for improvement. To make this diagnosis and identify the intended improvements was used a toll for analysis of time called MTM (Methods-Time Measurement), balancing techniques, ergonomics and layout study. Currently there are many companies worldwide that use MTM (Methods-Time Measurement), which is a system of predetermined times. The elimination of waste for the purpose of reducing the time is required for the increased production to be applied in 2012, which intends the passage of 29 vehicles per hour for 40 vehicles per hour on the assembly line. For the case study, we selected three stations, which are named according to their main operations. The first, Filme CAPOT, comprising placing protective film on the top of the vehicle off the assembly line. The second Filme TETO corresponds to placing the same film on the ceiling of the vehicle. Finally the station ECOM is where occurs the release of the vehicle for sale. Using the work station analysis with the tools already listed, it was possible to reduce the time required for the operator to perform the same activities and increase the companys production capacity in 48.9%, from 31.1 to 46.3 vehicles per hour. The ergonomics of the workspace had his overall evaluation changed at the placing protective film on CAPOT and TETO stations, because the modifying the layout of the stations enabling operators to smaller displacements and more ergonomic working postures that are addressed in the body of the work. There is also the gain related to the physical space, the three stations used together 300.9 m of the companys building, and after proposed situation they needs only 142.6 m, a decrease of 52.6%.