SCM group produces machining centers for the production of windows, doors, stairs, and solid wood parts, requiring heavy duty machining, while maintaining high precision and finishing quality. SCM customers are small artisan shops run by passionate but elderly people. This implies that, production scheduling is highly flexible and machine configuration needs to be changed very often and that operators using these machines typically have low computer skills.
An off-line training subsystem, providing a training environment based on a virtual simulation of the machine, was developed. This has been the SCM instantiation of the TEACH module of the INCLUSIVE framework.
For the ADAPT module of the INCLUSIVE system, an HMI was developed, allowing users with different capabilities to efficiently use of the machine. In SCM, the aim of this user interface is to assist users, in setting the configuration of the tool warehouse of the machine.
Thirdly, a portable interface has been introduced to better assist operators when tooling the machine, and when fixing certain machine failures. The HTML-based support system is provided on a tablet that the employee carries.
Finally, an EMPATICA wristband has been configured to interact with the Adaptive HMI within SCM, for monitoring the strain status of the operator.
| Country: | IT |
| Address: | Rimini |
The use of the INCLUSIVE HMI leads to a 4.2 % reduction in the average time required. For the second use case, the use of the INCLUSIVE HMI leads to a much larger decrease in execution time of 69.7 % when compared to the current HMI system. Moreover, a usability questionnaire has been filled in by testers, allowing to conclude that the INCLUSIVE HMI was perceived as an improvement with regards to the current HMI for all dimensions, for instance frequently usage, complexity, ease of use, functions, consistency, and learning effort.
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Further studies are being carried out to employ the virtual training in order to train the customers’ operators without having to wait for the delivery of a newly bought machine, or without having to block a productive machine for training purposes. The ADAPT module will be further developed in order to evaluate integration with the recently released MAESTRO Active HMI, which already incorporates personalization features such as language settings. Finally, discussions are underway with the commercial area in order to verify whether the use of wearables by customer’s workers can be promoted in order to improve their well-being at home.