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In today’s fast-paced manufacturing environments, ensuring operator comfort and efficiency is vital. Ergonomics, a discipline focused on optimising human well-being and system performance, plays a pivotal role in workplace design. Robotas Technologies has embraced this principle in the development of its Mascot systems, which are specifically engineered to enhance ergonomics for professionals in electronics manufacturing. This article explores the ergonomic innovations within Robotas’ Mascot products and highlights their benefits for productivity, safety, and operator satisfaction.
Ergonomics is more than just comfort; it’s about fostering an environment where human capabilities and limitations are fully integrated into workplace systems. According to the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), ergonomics aims to maximise both human well-being and system performance by understanding how people interact with their working environment. This is particularly critical in electronics manufacturing, where repetitive tasks, prolonged concentration, and intricate manual assembly are common.
The consequences of neglecting ergonomic principles can be severe. Poorly designed workstations can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), fatigue, reduced productivity, and even workplace accidents. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) notes that poor ergonomic design is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries and lost working days. Moreover, ergonomic inefficiencies often result in higher error rates, directly impacting the quality of the final product.
By incorporating ergonomics into their designs, companies can address these issues, creating safer, more productive workplaces. Robotas Technologies exemplifies this commitment through its Mascot systems, which prioritise the health and comfort of operators while enhancing operational efficiency.
Effective ergonomic design is founded on seven key principles: working height, work area, reach zones, parts presentation, range of vision, lighting, and equipment adjustability. Robotas’ Mascot systems incorporate each of these elements to provide operators with a seamless and comfortable working experience:
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Adjustable Working Height. One of the fundamental aspects of ergonomic design is ensuring that workstations can accommodate different operator heights and preferences. Robotas’ Mascot Standalone and Pushtrack systems feature motorised height-adjustable workbenches. These benches offer a height range from 97.5 to 125.5 cm, fully complying with ISO 14738 standards for optimal working zones, which suggest that standing work heights should be between 100 and 125 cm. By allowing operators to adjust the bench height, these systems help to reduce strain on the back, shoulders, and neck—areas commonly affected in static work environments.
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Optimal Work Area Dimensions. The depth of Mascot systems—56 cm for the Standalone units and 67 cm for the Pushtrack and Conveyor models—ensures that operators can comfortably access their work area without overreaching. These dimensions align with established ergonomic guidelines, which state that the standard depth of a workbench should be between 45.7 and 91.4 cm, creating a workspace that minimises unnecessary movement and maximises efficiency.
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Reach Zones Designed for Efficiency. Dynamic pick-to-light (DPL) arrays and motorised carousels are used for component storage and part delivery to the operator. These material storage systems ensure that components are always within a comfortable reach (between 26.5 and 49 cm). Robotas’ in-line Pushtrack and conveyorised Mascot models mount these peripherals on articulated arms, which operators can easily adjust and lock into their preferred position. This adaptability ensures compliance with ISO standards, which recommend that objects should not be placed more than 48.5 cm from the operator. By eliminating the need for awkward stretching or twisting, these features reduce physical strain and improve workflow efficiency.
4. Simplified Parts Presentation. Parts presentation is a vital aspect of ergonomic workstation design. Mascot systems employ intelligent technology to streamline this process by using motorised carousels and DPL arrays to automatically present the required component. This minimises repetitive movements and, in turn, reduces the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders.
In addition, operators can customise the placement of components within the carousels and arrays (with 50 component storage bins in the carousel and a four-level DPL array featuring adjustable height and angle for each shelf). Frequently used parts can be stored in easily accessible compartments, while heavier items can be placed on lower shelves to lessen physical exertion. These design features not only enhance comfort but also improve efficiency by reducing the time spent locating components.
5. Enhanced Visual Accessibility. Maintaining an appropriate range of vision is essential for reducing eye strain and improving task accuracy. The Mascot systems ensure that critical components and displays are positioned within a 30° range from the operator’s natural line of sight. When seated, the typical angle of view is 45° from the horizontal plane, so—as illustrated in the image—the optimal field of view (highlighted in blue) encompasses the majority of the Mascot systems’ work zone. This setup aligns with ergonomic recommendations for minimising neck and eye fatigue.
The systems also feature adjustable monitor mounts, allowing operators to position screens at the ideal height and angle (no more than 30° from the standard line of sight or horizontal plane), which, as shown in the image, is precisely the case. By optimising the visual layout, Mascot systems help to maintain focus and reduce errors, particularly during intricate tasks such as PCB assembly.
6. Lighting Solutions. Proper lighting is often overlooked in workstation design, yet it is a critical factor for both ergonomics and productivity. Robotas addresses this through an enclosed lighting arrangement within the laser head that brightly illuminates the work area, providing consistent lighting regardless of the workstation’s position within the factory. Whether situated near windows or in dimly lit corners, this lighting ensures operators can work with both precision and comfort.
7. Adjustable Equipment for Custom Comfort.
Flexibility is another benefit of the Mascot systems. Operators can adjust the height and angle of carousels, DPL arrays, and individual shelves to create a personalised workstation. Monitors and brackets are easily re-positioned using hand knobs, enabling custom setups for operators of varying statures. This level of adaptability ensures that every operator, regardless of their physical attributes, can work comfortably and efficiently.
The ergonomic features of Robotas’ Mascot systems deliver significant benefits that go well beyond operator comfort. These advantages include:
Improved Health and Safety:
Ergonomically designed workstations help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders—a common concern in manufacturing environments. By minimising repetitive movements and awkward postures, Mascot systems support operators in maintaining their physical health, resulting in fewer sick days and lower healthcare costs for employers.
Enhanced Productivity:
When operators are comfortable and free from physical strain, they are better able to concentrate on their tasks. This leads to faster assembly times, increased output, and greater overall efficiency. The intelligent parts presentation and adjustable components of the Mascot systems further optimise workflows, enabling tasks to be completed with minimal effort.
Better Product Quality:
Ergonomic workstations improve accuracy by promoting precision and focus. In electronics manufacturing, where attention to detail is critical, this can greatly enhance the quality of the final product. Operators working in a well-designed environment are less likely to make mistakes, ensuring consistent and reliable results.
Increased Job Satisfaction:
A comfortable working environment contributes to higher levels of job satisfaction and morale. When employees feel their well-being is valued, they are more engaged and motivated. This positive workplace culture can lead to reduced staff turnover and a more committed workforce.
Long-Term Sustainability:
By reducing physical strain and improving efficiency, ergonomic design supports long-term sustainability in manufacturing operations. Companies that invest in ergonomics are better placed to attract and retain skilled talent while maintaining high levels of productivity and quality.
Robotas Technologies has established a new benchmark for ergonomic excellence in electronics manufacturing. The Mascot systems stand as a testament to the company’s dedication to human-centred design, demonstrating how technology can be adapted to meet the needs of its users. By addressing health, anthropometric data, comfort, and efficiency, Robotas empowers businesses to achieve sustainable growth while prioritising the well-being of their workforce.
In an increasingly competitive manufacturing landscape, the importance of ergonomics cannot be overstated. Robotas’ commitment to creating adaptable, inclusive systems highlights the transformative impact of thoughtful design on both individuals and organisations. The Mascot systems serve as a model for ergonomic innovation, proving that productivity and well-being are not mutually exclusive but are, in fact, fundamentally interconnected.
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