The manufacturing industry continuously advances and occasionally revolutionizes by developing and using innovative technologies. Possibly more than ever, this is the primary focus of the present industrial revolution’s drive for further digitization and intelligent automation in manufacturing.
However, an essential component of getting the design of these innovative advancements right sits at the heart of how well everyone gets how it will impact and be assimilated with operators and workforces. As manufacturing systems incorporate higher levels of automation, informatics, robots, sensors, and portable devices, human skills are becoming more critical than ever, making the coexistence of humans and machines crucial to success.
Since humans and technology will be interwoven more tightly and intensely than at any point in the development of production, human factors will be crucial. Therefore, knowing how to comprehend, design and operationalize human and technological roles thoroughly is no longer an option. This article will discuss several reasons human engineering is essential to succeeding in a manufacturing environment.
What is Human Engineering?
Before going deep into the subject, let’s first define human engineering. Also known as human-factors engineering or ergonomics, human engineering applies the knowledge of psychological and physical traits to develop systems and tools for human use.
Human factors engineering is a design strategy that concentrates on and maximizes all users’ interactions inside the context of product creation. It applies in various ways to complicated systems, programs, and hardware. HFE considers human flaws and capabilities while designing interactive products to ensure effectiveness and safety by lowering the possibility of user error.
Human engineering aims to offer tools and systems that lessen the chance of human mistakes, boost system reliability, cut maintenance costs, promote safety, and enhance overall system efficiency. In other words, HFE aims to cut off the potential for human failure by matching the design of products and machines to the needs and capabilities of the workforce instead of depending on training, behavioral safety approaches, and procedures to prevent errors.
Two main ideas characterize the approach of the human-factors engineer in the design phase work. The first is that the engineer must use proper scientific procedures rather than rely on reasoning, instinct, or practical wisdom to overcome the issues of integrating humans into machine systems.
The second crucial tenet of the human-factors approach is that design choices often require a lot of trial and error. As a result, although human engineering strives to replace guessing with the scientific process, its methodologies are typically empirical rather than theoretical.
Moreover, human engineering also comprises multiple domains that center on unique concerns and produce different results. It is worth noting; however, that these results interact with one another to create an environment that is highly receptive to improving and maintaining safety, productivity, and the overall performance of a machine or product. These domains are the following.
Cognitive
The cognitive domain concentrates on how well a system or product is used regarding mental processes. It investigates human performance and dependability, human-computer interface, judgment, training, cognitive load, and psychological stress to prevent or solve issues. These aspects include attention span, memory, perception, and motor reactions. It also extensively uses concepts from fields like information visualization and neuroscience.
Organizational
Similar to the cognitive domain, this focuses on the non-tangible components that impact workers using the product or system. It addresses organizational structures and their socio-technical systems, work practices, corporate cultures, and other elements that influence processes. Its particular areas of concern are quality management and human resource management.
Now that human engineering has been defined extensively, let’s find out why it is essential in manufacturing.
Human engineering ensures the creation of effective machines
Throughout the previous few decades, there has been a significant increase in the manufacture of industrial machines and automation systems. The manufacturing industry has undergone a complete transformation due to this change. This has led to a global decrease in production costs and increased efficiency.
Recent data shows the global industrial robots and machines market size is projected to grow from $16.78bn to $35.68bn in 2029 due to the increase of expenditures on automation across different sectors. Like it or not, machines have taken over various delicate production activities that require the highest accuracy and reproducibility, making them an essential component of today’s industrial economy.
Unlike humans, machines can operate for days without getting weary and can concurrently fulfill quantity and quality requirements. In short, machines increase a manufacturing application’s overall effectiveness by developing effective ways to carry out production activities. However, this only occurs when a machine is effective enough to do such tasks.
The reality is this is not always the case. According to recent research, most machines fail due to sensor and actuator faults, making the need for human intervention during the development process even more crucial. Moreover, they come with specific limitations when you compare them with humans. In contrast to humans, machines cannot adapt to unforeseen situations and boost efficiency based on prior success.
By applying human factors in creating machines, engineers can ensure that they make practical and interactive robots. Like it or not, human variance has historically posed a challenge to the design of manufacturing technologies and the forecasting of their effectiveness.
However, due to the progressive movement toward more flexible and adaptable labor forces, distinctions in operators’ abilities and expertise are now viewed as having a more excellent value in systems that demand more modifications in both the products and the workers’ technical skills.
Thus, human factors are required to ensure the inclusive design of machines and intelligent systems and improve their potential for comprehending and reacting to direct human needs as workplaces become more flexible and varied.
Human engineering helps match customer expectations
Recognizing customer experience’s influence on a wide range of business-related decisions is necessary. From bringing in and keeping consumers to developing a solid brand reputation and establishing a strategic advantage, CX is critical to an organization’s success in today’s consumer-centered business climate.
According to a Forbes report, improving customer experience can drive a revenue increase of up to 8%, regardless of the industry. Now, you might ask where human engineering fits into the customer experience picture. As the need for enhanced customer experiences becomes the norm, service delivery machines are increasingly integrated into workforces to optimize productivity.
Lack of consideration for human aspects may result in labor-intensive machinery or work procedures, which could reduce output, raise failure rates, and raise the likelihood of accidents, disease, and damage. Employees may use risky alternatives to complete tasks if processes and directions are not created with human capabilities in mind if that’s not bad enough. This could increase mishaps or accidents in the future.
Conversely, considering human skills and limits allows equipment, processes, and other related elements to be developed with the user in mind, enabling people to coexist peacefully with automation. In doing so, you can make machines customer-friendly, resulting in higher customer lifetime value and a predictable incoming revenue stream.
Human engineering reduces manufacturing costs
Cutting manufacturing costs has been a constant concern for organizations. According to a recent report, manufacturing input expenses have increased two-fold in recent years, making it immensely more challenging for businesses to generate profits.
So where does human engineering fit all into this? As mentioned above, human engineering has a hand in building effective machines. Organizations can reduce costs and errors by making these effective machines while increasing production output and product quality. This implies that running machines for extended periods will boost the organization’s production capacity.
In addition, machines can help businesses increase the number of workstations in their production facility. Machines can be designed to carry out extraordinarily deft and exact movements, improving the reliability and caliber of organizational products. Businesses may relax, knowing that the quality of their products will stay satisfactory when manufacturing processes are digitized.
When fewer scraps are produced, and less rework is necessary to manufacture high-quality items, this will save them time and money. Automation can assist businesses in achieving their objectives, whether they want to reduce expenses, boost output, or save time. An organization can design machines that automatically create and optimize their production plans through human engineering, resulting in time savings and higher investment returns.
How to learn human engineering skills?
By now, this article has gauged your interest in human engineering. However, you are still left wondering how to get started. There are a few ways to do it. This section provides you with a step-by-step guide on how you can learn human engineering skills.
Get certifications
Paying attention to the value of qualifications in a field as competitive as human engineering is necessary. Being qualified may give an engineer a competitive advantage while seeking work in specific specializations and marketplaces.
Fundamentally speaking, certification can result in better work opportunities. This is so it can show a higher degree of skill, certify specialist knowledge, and improve professional reputation. Consider what credentials can help you stand out from the competition or what qualifications an organization prefers while selecting certificates. Some of the certificates you may want to acquire are the following.
Engineer in Training (EIT) certification
Each state requires the EIT certification as a prerequisite for prospective engineers to get registration as professional engineers. Being a college senior or having completed a four-year engineering course approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology is the primary requirement for seeking this certification. After completing the multiple-choice Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, which includes the engineering program content, candidates are awarded their EIT certification.
Certified systems engineering professional
The CSEP certification, given out by the International Council on Systems Engineering (ICNCOSE), demonstrates an engineering practitioner’s training, expertise, and capacity to use their knowledge in various disciplines. Application requirements include at least five years of professional experience working as a systems engineer and an undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering. However, years of relevant work experience may be substituted. The test has multiple-choice questions based on the INCOSE Systems Engineering manual and has a two-hour time limit.
Depending on the organization and the certification type you choose, requirements will always vary. Furthermore, you must periodically renew your certification to ensure you keep up with the qualification standards.
Earn an Engineering Management degree
Obtaining a masters in engineering management degree online in Canada from the University of Ottawa is the most effective way to acquire human engineering skills without turning your life upside down. Unlike traditional degree programs, studying online is flexible and can work around your schedule.
It can seem impossible to strike a healthy balance between life and work as a human engineer. Everything can go sideways when you add school to it. With an online engineering management program, you can balance your priorities since it does not require you to attend a class at a specific time or day.
Now you might ask what to expect from an online engineering management program. The curriculum of an online engineering management program will determine its caliber and reputation. The course curriculum will often integrate core business principles with graduate-level engineering instruction, though this will vary from institution to institution.
Students will master the fundamentals of management, behavioral science, and quantitative analysis throughout the degree program. Additionally, they can select advanced engineering electives related to their areas of expertise.
You’ll likely work on assignments throughout the semester leading to the final capstone project. These tasks could be a single project or a series of activities, but they almost always need extensive study. You may also be asked to convey your findings orally and in writing. You’ll then be able to include your finished projects in a professional portfolio.
Moreover, you should also expect multiple group work activities. You must communicate digitally with classmates in an online engineering management course like in a traditional classroom. The frequency can change, though, based on the professor and the course subject.
Classes in several engineering management programs tend to mix individual and group work more. You can engage in more active learning through group projects by exchanging knowledge and receiving assistance from your group. These exercises are designed to help you feel more engaged in the learning process and foster ongoing interaction with your classmates.
Becoming a human engineer today
Although technology has taken the world by storm, the need for human intervention is still crucial to make these innovations work in our favor. Learn how to do that by signing up today and becoming a human engineer.