Human Factors in Advanced Manufacturing

From Ship to Shore: Reducing the barriers to collaborative robot uptake in shipbuilding and manufacturing through human factors

Authors: Howard, S., Rajagopalan, A, Manning, K., O’Keeffe, V., Hordacre, A.L. & Spoehr, J.

This report reviews the ‘current state’ of robotics applications in Australian manufacturing to inform considerations about potential applications of the technologies in shipbuilding as part of the digital shipyard ambition. It details a range of use cases and illustrates how the adoption of modern robotics and assistive manufacturing technologies are helping companies to pursue the Industry 4.0 challenge in Australia.

Staying on Course: Human factors in navigating digital work orders in harsh environments in shipbuilding

Authors: O’Keeffe, V., Jang, R., Howard, S., Hordacre, A.L. & Spoehr, J.

The potential value of digital technologies has drawn worldwide attention across industries. However, technology implementation is highly complex, and is likely to profoundly change jobs and processes, with significant social implications for people’s interactions and communication.

This report makes eight recocmendations to promote the uptake of digital work order technology in the shipyard and along the manufacturing supply chain. 

Setting it Straight: Human factors, technology, and pipe alignment in shipbuilding

Authors: O’Keeffe, V., Rajagopalan, A., Manning, K., Howard, S., Hordacre, A-L. & Spoehr, J.

Piping transports energy and wastes throughout ships ensuring safe and efficient operation. Pipework is extensive and complex, and must withstand harsh conditions, meaning all pipe sections must be aligned and welded with high levels of skill to meet stringent quality specifications.

This project compared two pipe alignment tasks: manual and technology-assisted. Results suggest the technology-assisted version has the potential to reduce alignment time, though small sample sizes mean results were inconclusive and further research is warranted. Introducing technology has significantly changes job design, requiring tailored human resources management and change management strategies to sustain benefits. 

All Hands on Deck: Building Industry 4.0 momentum through University-Industry collaboration

Authors: Spoehr, J., Hordacre, A-L., Moretti, C., O’Keeffe, V., Howard, S., Jang, R., Manning, K., and Trott, R. 

All Hands on Deck focuses attention on lessons learnt from a rapidly evolving collaboration between AITI and BAE Systems Australia – Maritime. It examines the contribution played by accelerating the uptake and diffusion of innovative manufacturing technologies in Australian shipbuilding. 

True North: Key themes for accelerating the uptake and diffusion of Industry 4.0 technology in manufacturing and the supply chain

Authors: O’Keeffe, V., Howard, S., Jang, R., Manning, K., Trott, R., Hordacre, A-L., Spoehr, J., and Moretti, C. 

True North summarises key themes that have arisen from the program of research between AITI and BAE that ran from March 2020 to October 2022 aimed at accelerating the uptake and diffusion of Industry 4.0 enabling technologies in shipbuilding and its manufacturing supply chain. This report provides an overview of the project completed and outlines worthwhile areas for future research. The work was funded by BAESA-M in collaboration with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources1 (Innovative Manufacturing CRC).

Manufacturing Work by Design: Pillars of successful integration of Industry 4.0 technology into jobs

Authors: Howard, S., O’Keeffe, V., Hordacre, A-L., and Spoehr, J. 

This document provides an overarching job design 'framework’ and summary of significant changes to manufacturing work (current and anticipated) resulting from the introduction of emerging, disruptive Industry 4.0 enabling technologies. This focused report complements previous analysis applying a more macro lens (Worrall & Spoehr, 2021).