Modeling Occupational Exoskeleton Use on Quality and Throughput Improvements in Manufacturing
摘要
Passive occupational exoskeletons have been increasingly used as one way to decrease the risks for musculoskeletal injuries and potentially increase quality when performing a task. Simulation has been used in some studies to model the ways in which an exoskeleton can aid a user and affect his or her body. This study utilized a discrete event simulation (DES) to determine how additional profit brought by the use of an exoskeleton could be modeled using changes in quality resulting from using it. A simulation was created to model an overhead assembly task aided by using an exoskeleton. This model was used to study the throughput of parts produced with varying levels of good parts, scrap, and rework. Processing time of a task, level of quality in a task based on wearing an exoskeleton, and profit per part all affected whether the additional profit brought by an exoskeleton justifies the initial cost of purchasing an exoskeleton. Analysis was done to study the data over the time span of a year with cycle times having a random triangular distribution with its center ranging from 5–15 min, quality ranging from a rework selection weight of 0.02–0.08 and a scrap selection weight of 0.005–0.02. The model indicated the times at which the cost of an exoskeleton was met or exceeded by the increases in profit from changes in quality, and therefore the cost of the exoskeleton would be justified by its quality improvements.