Simulation of work environment factors for human-oriented and efficient workplaces

Using different simulation tools of digital ergonomics for the digital factory, it is shown how an ergonomic design of the work environment can be holistically evaluated and designed using the example of physical stress, lighting, acoustics and thermal environment. Starting from a factory hall for battery assembly, workplaces are optimized regarding their physical load using the ema Work Designer. Based on this, the lighting situation is evaluated with DIALux evo, the acoustic load with CatnaR and the thermal environment with the Fraunhofer Indoor Environment Simulation Suite iteratively. Depending on the environmental influence, scenarios of the working environment are evaluated by simulation. In this process, the combined consideration of the environmental conditions supports the derivation of an improved working environment, so that interactions between workplace, environment and measures can be identified at an early stage. As a result, a partial wall for shielding the work areas is preferred due to the thermal and acoustic conditions including an acoustic ceiling and cooling of the supply air as well as a lighting system with additional individual workplace lighting. The combined consideration shows that there could be alternative preferred variants for single environmental factors, but these must not be preferred in the overall consideration. Practical Relevance This paper shows how digital tools of the digital factory can be used to simulate work environment factors as well as working conditions already in the planning process and to optimize the work environment in order to achieve a human-friendly work design. The possibilities of digital work planning are thus extended to include risk assessment based on the environmental influences of lighting, acoustics and indoor climate.