Ingenics has developed a solution that helps companies to systematically determine when and where investments in human-robot collaboration workstations promise success. Ingenics sees great potential for this, particularly in the area of assembly. "In practice, the first question for companies interested in HRC solutions is whether the use of collaborative robots is worthwhile and how quickly the investment will pay for itself," says Andreas Hoberg, Chief Sales Officer at Ingenics. In order to provide a qualified answer to this question, Ingenics has developed a detailed checklist for the systematic examination and evaluation of potential based on the experience gained in pilot projects.

This HRC checklist, which addresses questions from six key application areas - from safety, the type of material provision, the nature of the component and ergonomic aspects through to infrastructure and the working time model - provides good theoretical arguments. The bridge to practice is now to be built together with imk automotive from Chemnitz: "imk has developed a simulation tool with which HRC use cases can be simulated in 3D - including detailed ergonomics and process time evaluations," explains Thomas Kleinbeck, Ingenics Senior Expert, adding: "It is ideal for our customers that we can bring both topics together and present both effects - first selection, then simulation of the use cases - at an early stage of the decision-making process." Conversely, imk customers should benefit from the fact that the IT experts from Chemnitz can also offer the well-founded data-based determination of potential use cases via the partnership with Ingenics.

Dr. Jens Trepte, Managing Director of imk, adds: "Our planning method, which we have named Editor Menschlicher Arbeit - ema for short - executes work instructions on its own initiative, reacts with normal motor movements thanks to a knowledge-based 3D software solution as if it were a virtual skilled worker, so that human work can be planned, simulated and evaluated with human-motor validity and with the greatest possible efficiency. Together with Ingenics, we provide completely manufacturer-neutral advice, determine the best possible solution on the basis of an anthropometrically perfect human model and time management and receive all the data for coordination with the social partners." Incidentally, the combined process is not only interesting for new planning, but just as good when it comes to modernizing existing workstations.

Both Ingenics and imk assume that all robot manufacturers will soon be keen to make their data available to systems that use simulations to remove obstacles to decision-making. "We are already able to integrate new robot data into our libraries in just four hours," explains Dr. Trepte - and announces the release of additional features in the area of collision avoidance in the near future, which will finally ensure that legally unassailable safety assessments can be carried out.