Virtual Improvement of Manual Assembly Operations Using Computer Mannequin

Abstract

Kaizen activities are important to improve productivity in the manual assembly operations. However, Kaizen after the production line has been put into operation could not bring about a significant improvement because of short product life cycles. It is, therefore, necessary to achieve Kaizen before the startup using the simulation. We call such activities virtual improvements. In this study, the procedure of the virtual improvement based on a computer mannequin is proposed, and a system which automatically generates human operation models based on the optimal arrangement of a parts box is developed.