Influence of exoskeleton use on welding quality during a simulated welding task

Area of Science:

• Ergonomics and Human Factors Engineering
• Manufacturing and Industrial Processes
• Materials Science and Engineering

Background:

• Welding is a critical industrial process demanding high precision.
• Constrained body positions in welding can negatively impact weld quality.
• Exoskeletons are emerging as assistive devices to mitigate physical strain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of passive shoulder exoskeletons on weld seam quality.
• To analyze the influence of exoskeletons on welding parameters in specific postures.

Main Methods:

• Fifteen experienced welders performed standardized welding and grinding tasks.
• A 1-hour workflow simulated overhead (PE) and front-of-body (PF) welding positions.
• Participants completed the workflow with and without a passive shoulder exoskeleton in a randomized order.

Main Results:

• Passive shoulder exoskeletons significantly improved travel speed consistency (p < .05).
• Weld quality, measured by travel speed score, increased by 5.80% (PF) and 28.87% (PE).
• The travel speed parameter, crucial for weld permissibility, showed significant improvement with exoskeleton use.

Conclusions:

• Passive shoulder exoskeletons positively influence key welding parameters, enhancing weld seam quality.
• Exoskeletons are effective in improving welding performance, particularly in ergonomically challenging positions.
• The study provides a foundation for further research into real-world welding applications with exoskeletons.