Towards the Digital Transformation of Inspection Tasks in Aircraft Manufacturing Through a Human-Centric Design

Abstract

In aircraft manufacturing, the inspection workers are often exposed to risk factors (e.g. straining postures). Knowing the lack of ergonomics studies focused on this context, this chapter presents an ergonomic assessment conducted during the design phase of a new device to be used by the inspectors of metallic parts of airplanes. This device will consist of a portable artificial vision system intended to capture and process images of defects. This study intended to provide requirements for its appropriate human-centric design. Workers’ postures were assessed by the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method after motion capture (with inertial sensors), which indicated a musculoskeletal risk that must be mitigated soon. Furthermore, a survey was conducted in which workers provided their perceptions of the work conditions. The level of required attention was the most negative factor pointed out. Anthropometric data were also collected and specific guidelines were provided to design the handle of the device. Finally, the workers participated in a usability test of the digital interface prototype of the new device, which proved itself intuitive and efficient to use and in line with the workers’ needs. The current study emphasizes the relevance of the participatory ergonomic approach during digital transformations of workstations.