The automotive industry in France
As a leading sector and a significant contributor to the economy (estimated at around 10% of the French GDP) employing over 2,200,000 people in 2018, accounting for 8% of the French workforce, the automotive industry is currently facing an unprecedented crisis due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Alarming Figures
Despite the challenges, millions of operators continue to work in the production facilities and assembly plants. Daily tasks such as assembly, installation, machining and drilling, often performed repetitively, result in a significant number of repetitive strain injuries – in the automotive industry, nearly 9 out of 10 occupational diseases are strain injuries (according to an INRS study(1)). This is an alarming figure for the automotive companies, as it represents approximately 10 million days of sick time each year.
One direct consequence of these issues is the difficulty in recruiting, retaining, and replacing essential personnel to keep the production lines running.
Numerous operations affected
In line with the figures reported by INRS and French Social Security, repetitive tasks strain the muscles and tendons of operators who lack adequate equipment.
Examples of at-risk operations include:
- Machining discs, picking and placing chucks
- Handling plates and rotors
- Handling stators
- Handling PECS during engine assembly
- Handling exhaust lines during unloading and hanging operations
- Installing power tailgates
- Handling and installing windscreens
- Handling car seats during assembly and inspection
- Handling automotive cylinder heads during inspection
- Etc.
These examples represent potential applications for collaborative robots.
Solutions for safer handling
There are numerous solutions available to protect operators from strain and make material handling safer, each with its advantages and drawbacks:
- Exoskeletons worn by operators to assist them in tasks, but they can be uncomfortable.
- Automated robots programmed to perform precise and repetitive tasks, but they are difficult to adapt to real-time situations.
- Fixed industrial manipulator arms capable of lifting heavy loads, but they lack mobility and versatility.
- Mobile industrial manipulator arms, which are versatile tools that can help operators and can be easily moved around the plant as needed.
These collaborative robots not only benefit operators by streamlining work processes, providing a sense of safety, and assisting with challenging inspections or measurements, but also significantly reduce the risk of strain injuries.
An example of automotive application by Neoditech
The project originated with the Toyota Center, which needed to move and position radiators weighing up to 20 kg, holding them either from the front or the side, and tilt them 30° for installation in the vehicles.
The SCARA Parts arm, which acts as an extension of the human arm, but with smoother and more precise movements, provided an effective solution.
With a custom-made end effector, the SCARA Parts arm enables operators to install radiators safely and effortlessly. It features a mobile base mounted on a pallet truck and can easily be moved from one location to another.
