IJET 2024 Vol.16(2): 67-73
DOI: 10.7763/IJET.2024.V16.1257
Evaluating the Impact of an Assembly System 4.0 on Human Error
Jacqueline Humphries1,*, Pepijn Van de Ven2, and Alan Ryan3
1. 1Department of Information Technology, Applied Science Technology Faculty, Technological University of the Shannon, Limerick, Ireland
2. Department of Information Technology, Science & Engineering Faculty, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
3. Department of Engineering, Science & Engineering Faculty, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
Email: jacqueline.humphries@tus.ie (J.H.); pepijn.vandeven@ul.ie (P.V.d.V.); alan.ryan@ul.ie (A.R.)
*Corresponding author
Manuscript received December 25, 2023; revised January 20, 2024; accepted February 3, 2024; published April 16, 2024
Abstract—Assembly Systems assist the human in manufacturing by providing easy access to the assembly procedure. However, they are static systems that provide the same information to all users. Assembly Systems 4.0 are a relatively new concept that use data-driven insights to assist the human by providing context-specific information about the assembly process. Assembly Systems 4.0 should have a positive impact on reducing human error in manufacturing. In this research the utility of an Assembly System 4.0 is evaluated. Two experiments are conducted to investigate potential effects on human performance from the lens of error and failed quality parts. Through the first experiment, a laboratory simulation, it is proven that the Assembly System 4.0 can detect human error. In the second experiment, the system is compared against a traditional Assembly System. Four hundred assemblies are conducted, in a two-independent sample test. It is found that neither system prevents human error from occurring. However, how the error is treated is significant. The users of the Assembly System 4.0 detected, and corrected the errors, producing higher quality products.
Keywords—Assembly, quality, error, production
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Cite: Jacqueline Humphries, Pepijn Van de Ven, and Alan Ryan, "Evaluating the Impact of an Assembly System 4.0 on Human Error," International Journal of Engineering and Technology vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 67-73, 2024.
