Reconfigurable machine tending with collaborative robots: leveraging ISO 21919 for enhancing flexibility and safety

With the evolution of modern manufacturing, the integration of collaborative robots within machine tending operations has become increasingly essential. In this paper, a novel system architecture that complies with the ISO 21919 and ISO 10,218 standards is proposed, enhancing the flexibility and safety of cobots in industrial environments. The proposed system leverages the Asset Administration Shell for standardization and reconfigurability, allowing it to adapt seamlessly to various manufacturing tasks without requiring extensive reprogramming. Designed to support not only traditional automation but also dynamic interactions with human operators, this system introduces a reconfigurable framework that utilizes digital twin technology to facilitate real-time adjustments and efficient operation across different production scenarios. By integrating safety sensors and interactive connectivity, the system addresses certain gaps in current standards, ensuring a higher level of operational security and worker safety. The practicality of this approach was validated using a prototype, demonstrating the system’s capability to flexibly manage machine tending tasks while maintaining compliance with established and emerging standards. The methodology and findings of this paper not only advance the field of industrial automation by enabling more adaptable and safer collaborative applications but also set a new benchmark for the use of digital twins in machine tending.