Relations between complexity, quality and cognitive automation in mixed-model assembly
Journal article, 2013

Modern assembly systems are adapting to the increased mass customization resulting in shorter cycle times, more variants and increased complexity for final assembly operators. More variants require additional support functions targeted for assembly operators to avoid assembly errors. An industrial case study was carried out in order to examine the relations between complexity, quality and cognitive automation. Complexity was quantified by the measure Operator Choice Complexity (OCC). Assembly errors were measured from historical data and cognitive automation was assessed on a task level. Results show that complexity positively correlates with assembly errors and that the usage of cognitive support is low. Over 60% of all tasks in the study were performed based on own experience. Increased usage of cognitive automation is needed in final assembly to minimize the negative effects of complexity.

Quality

Complexity

Cognitive automation

Assembly

Author

Åsa Fasth Berglund

Chalmers, Product and Production Development, Production Systems

Tommy Fässberg

Chalmers, Product and Production Development, Production Systems

Filip Hellman

Volvo Group

Anna Davidsson

Volvo Cars

Johan Stahre

Chalmers, Product and Production Development, Production Systems

Journal of Manufacturing Systems

0278-6125 (ISSN)

Vol. 4 11 449-455

Subject Categories

Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics

Areas of Advance

Production

DOI

10.1016/j.jmsy.2013.04.011

More information

Latest update

11/20/2018