A new approach for evaluating experienced assembly complexity based on Multi Expert-Multi Criteria Decision Making method

Abstract

In manufacturing, complexity is considered a key aspect that should be managed from the early phases of product and system design to improve performance, including productivity, efficiency, quality, and costs. The identification of suitable methods to assess complexity has always been of interest to researchers and practitioners. As complexity is affected by several aspects of different nature, it can be assessed from objective or subjective viewpoints or a combination of both. To assess experienced complexity, the analysis relies on the subjective evaluations given by practitioners, usually expressed on nominal or ordinal scales. However, methods found in the literature often violate the properties of the scales, potentially leading to bias in the results. This paper proposes a methodology based on the analysis of categorical data using the multi expert-multi criteria decision making method. A number of criteria are adopted to assess assembly complexity and, from subjective evaluations of operators, product assembly complexity is assessed at an individual level and then, aggregating results, at a global level. A comparison between experienced complexity and an objective assessment of complexity is also performed, highlighting similarities and differences. The assessment of experienced complexity is much more straightforward and less demanding than objective assessments. However, this study showed that it is preferable to use objective assessments for highly complex products as individuals do not discriminate between different complexity levels. An experimental campaign is conducted regarding a manual assembly of ball-and-stick products to show the applicability of the methodology and discuss the results.

Effects of product complexity on human learning in assembly and disassembly operations

“…As a result, it serves as a valuable tool for assessing complexity, especially during the initial stages of product design (Verna et al. , 2022b; Verna et al ., 2023a).…”

“…In the proposed approach, this model is used to assess the complexity of different product varieties, relying solely on their structural characteristics. As a result, it serves as a valuable tool for assessing complexity, especially during the initial stages of product design (Verna et al, 2022b;Verna et al, 2023a).…”

Integrating Bio Principles in Assembly Task Design to Enhance Symbiotic Human-Robot Collaboration

“…This article explores the evolving landscape of Symbiotic Human-Robot Collaboration (SHRC) within manufacturing contexts, with a particular focus on its role in enhancing assembly processes. Existing research in this domain has largely revolved around the technological problems of establishing SHRC (Barravecchia et al, 2023;Gervasi et al, 2022b;Verna et al, 2023;Wang et al, 2019).…”