Feasibility Study on the Introduction of Automation in the Assembly Process

Sammanfattning: The assembly process in Volvo Construction Equipment, in Braås, is fully hand-operated. The aim of this Master thesis project is to develop and evaluate different concepts of how the automation level could be increased. This study aims to find reliable technology/automation solutions that could be used in one or more operations in the assembly process and identify the benefits for Volvo Construction Equipment. The work will end up in concepts and recommendations on what areas of the assembly process would be most beneficial to automate first. Conversations, observations, and interviews took place in the assembly department to help in the selection of the station in which automation can be most easily introduced. Automated procedures at this station will have advantages since they will include robots. The robot can take over some of the assembly procedures, while the worker can be occupied with others. From an ergonomic perspective, these procedures will be improved; thus, the efficiency and the quality will be better, and this will be achieved because the human will focus on procedures where creativity and human hands are needed, and the robot will take over the most un-ergonomic and difficult operations.