Panel Dividing System Workload Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators in panel dividing systems often face workload overload, leading to increased error rates and reject frequencies due to strenuous work conditions, which existing systems fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

The panel dividing system adapts its control to match the operator's workload by monitoring variables such as position, speed, and physiological signals to adjust machine speed, information output, and configuration, ensuring optimal process reliability and reducing operator stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the machine operates at high speed to maximize productivity, then productivity increases, but operator workload becomes excessive leading to errors and rejects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine speedVSAvoidprocess reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The machine speed is made dynamically adjustable based on real-time operator workload assessment. The control device continuously monitors operator state through detection devices and automatically adapts machine speed, transforming a static operational parameter into a dynamic one that responds to human factors, thereby preventing overload while maintaining optimal productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A closed-loop feedback system is implemented where detection devices monitor operator workload in real-time, the control device evaluates this data, and the machine speed is automatically adjusted accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that productivity gains do not compromise reliability by continuously adapting operational parameters to human capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the operator works faster to maintain productivity, then productivity is maintained, but the frequency of errors and rejects increases due to overload

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework rateVSAvoiderror rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides self-service by automatically monitoring operator state and adjusting machine parameters without requiring operator intervention. The detection and control devices work autonomously to prevent overload conditions, allowing the operator to maintain focus on quality while the system manages the workload balance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (machine speed, task sequence, information display) based on detected operator state. When overload is detected, parameters are automatically adjusted to reduce workload, preventing error increases while maintaining productivity through intelligent parameter adaptation rather than simple speed control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the machine speed is reduced to decrease operator workload, then operator stress decreases, but productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator stressVSAvoidproduction output
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Machine speed transitions from a fixed or manually set parameter to a dynamically controlled one that automatically adapts to operator capacity. The system continuously adjusts speed within optimal ranges, preventing both overload and underutilization, thereby maintaining productivity while protecting operator well-being through real-time adaptation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the operator is underutilized to ensure low stress levels, then operator motivation may improve, but productivity is reduced due to excessive capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator motivationVSAvoidproduction output
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback system monitors operator utilization and provides real-time information to the control device, which adjusts machine speed to maintain optimal engagement. This prevents both underutilization and overload by continuously adapting the work pace to match operator capacity, thereby maintaining motivation while maximizing productive output

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3104998B1Process for operating a board partitioning device, and board partitioning device to carry-out such a process
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 HOMAG PLATTENAUFTEILTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP3104998B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3104998B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

In a method for operating a machine, in particular a panel cutting system (10), at least one acquisition device (70, 82, 88) acquires at least one variable characterizing a current stress to which an operator (76) is subject or a current behavioral property relating to the operator (76). The acquired variable is analyzed, and the machine (10) is controlled in accordance with the result of the analysis.