INNOVATIONS: PRESENT&FUTURE

Comau’s New MATE-XT: A Robust, Lightweight Exoskeleton to Support Coating Operators and Reduce Muscle Strain

Stefania Bernabeo

Comau, Grugliasco (Turin) – Italy stefania.bernabeo@comau.com

Finishing operations require considerable physical effort from operators. Comau’s MATE-XT reduces the fatigue experienced by coating line workers even in less than ideal conditions and environments, without sacrificing convenience and safety. Certified EAWS by the Ergo Foundation, the MATE-XT exoskeleton effectively reduces the biomechanical risks encountered by coating operators, typically involved in loading/unloading or manual painting activities. It is now available in a more light and slim, and highly breathable version, offering more adjustment options and providing an excellent, measurable improvement in ergonomics.

The work performed on a coating line subjects operators to continuous muscular and bone strain, which can lead to health problems, mainly in the back area, and general fatigue. Both while hanging parts on frames and during manual coating activities, the physical effort and repetitive movements required of workers are high and constant. At the beginning of December last year, Comau presented MATE-XT, a revised and updated version of its wearable exoskeleton, which is particularly suitable for supporting operators during finishing processes.

Reducing physical effort

Comau has been developing industrial automation systems and products for almost half a century, specialising also in wearable and collaborative robotics solutions that reduce operator fatigue during coating operations. With the aim of helping companies, whatever their size or sector, to improve the quality and productivity of their processes and at the same time the wellbeing of their workers, the development of this type of product has been an absolute priority for this company. By providing support during physical activities, Comau’s exoskeleton reduces the effort required, thus making operations less burdensome and improving operators’ health. Thanks to its very thin, lightweight carbon fibre structure and its extremely intuitive adjustment system, MATE-XT can be quickly adapted to any body type, from the slimmest to the largest ones. By replicating the physiological movements of human operators and providing optimal upper body support, it facilitates any coating operation while greatly reducing the effort required. In addition, the MATE-XT exoskeleton does not require batteries, motors, or other devices to operate, which could hinder the workers’ movement and make the equipment heavier. There are currently 8 different levels of support available, which can be set or changed quickly even while the activity is in progress, thus guaranteeing a high degree of convenience during use. An exoskeleton of this type, therefore, facilitates the day-today operations carried out during finishing and coating processes, which require ever-higher quality and effort levels. Finally, Comau’s global sales network enables it to quickly meet any user needs and solve any issues that operators may face when using its exoskeletons, wherever they may be.

Certified, measurable physical wellbeing of coating operators

MATE-XT is currently the only exoskeleton available on the market to be included in the ergonomic risk evaluation index of EAWS (Ergonomic Assessment Work-Sheet) issued by the Ergo Foundation, which attests to a system’s ability to reduce biomechanical loads while carrying out particularly demanding work. More than half of the workers who wore this exoskeleton said that they felt a much lower level of exertion – the muscular activity of shoulders decreased by 30%, and a considerable back support is guaranteed – which led to positive improvements in the quality of their working day.

Improved efficiency: a positive side effect

In addition to the health benefits for workers, Comau’s new product also reduces the risk of painting defects due to operator fatigue. In fact, from an operational point of view, MATE-XT promotes higher precision, quality, and performance. Customers can easily calculate their return on investment (ROI) through measurable ergonomic performance factors. Comau itself carried out studies with its customers using the EAWS calculation method and it found that its MATE-XT exoskeleton can help to increase work precision during activities involving continuous arm lifting by 27% and speed of execution by 10%. Moreover, cycle times are reduced by at least 5%. Resistant to water, dust, ultraviolet rays, and high temperatures, MATEXT is particularly suitable for industrial, non-industrial, and outdoor use in finishing and coating operations, but also for carpentry, construction, agriculture, assembly, and logistics applications. ‹

The MATE-TX exoskeleton developed by Comau. With the new product the muscular activity of shoulders decreases by 30%, and a considerable back support is guaranteed.

© Comau