Intelligent Manufacturing Management Systems

13The Impact of Organizational Ergonomics on Teaching Rapid Prototyping

Yaone Rapitsenyane*, Patience Erick, Oanthata Jester Sealetsa and Richie Moalosi

University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana

Abstract

This chapter discusses organizational ergonomics issues for teaching rapid prototyping in Industry 4.0. Organizational ergonomics is addressed as a macro ergonomics concept impacting manufacturing facilities and technological revolutions industry 4.0. Industry 4.0 projects the development of a smart factory of the future, where cyber-physical systems are connected and integrated. Preparing designers and engineers for the smart factory becomes imperative for smart manufacturing technologies such as rapid prototyping (3D printing). In the context of Industry 4.0, 3D printing laboratories will be collaborative, connected and distributed, presenting a new opportunity for design schools to revolutionize rapid prototyping into a collaborative and creative activity where international partners can add value to solving problems at host institutions localities. This chapter highlights industrial factors and safety issues to be considered along with the adoption of advanced prototyping technologies. Design schools can ensure that optimisation and exploitation of new opportunities resulting from Industry 4.0 technologies are responsive and sensitive to the continuous improvement of work, paying attention to new types of accidents, new work design, changing quality management systems, ...