In the article problems related to human labor and factors affecting the increasing use of
industrial robots are discussed. Since human factors affect the production processes stability,
robots are preferred to apply. The application of robots is characterized by higher performance
and reliability comparing to human labor. The problem is how to determine the real
difference in work efficiency between human operator and robot. The aim of the study is to
develop a method that allows clearly definition of productivity growth associated with the
replacement of human labor by industrial robots. Another aim of the paper is how to model
robotized and manual operated workstation in a computer simulation software. Analysis of
the productivity and reliability of the hydraulic press workstation operated by the human
operator or an industrial robot, are presented. Simulation models have been developed taking
into account the availability and reliability of the machine, operator and robot. We apply
OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) indicator to present how availability and reliability
parameters influence over performance of the workstation, in the longer time. Simplified
financial analysis is presented considering different labor costs in EU countries.
The aim of the article is to present the selected results of analytical investigations concerning
possible directions of reducing the unit production costs in the mining company together with some
results of practical calculations. The investigations emphasize the role of the rate of utilising the
production capacity leading to reducing the unit production costs. The main component having an
essential influence on the unit production costs are the fixed unit costs. Two basic indices of a crucial
meaning for searching for possibilities leading to decreasing the unit production costs are assumed.
The first index (w1) is a measure of the rate of utilising the production capacity, the second one (w2)
concerns the fixed costs coincided with the unit of the production capacity. Theoretical considerations
concerning the mathematical modelling of the unit production costs as the values depending on the
rate of utilising the production capacity and the fixed costs coincided with the production capacity
unit, are presented in the first part of the paper. The rationalisation criteria of the mine unit production
costs are formulated. These criteria can constitute the elements of restructuring program for the mining
company. The calculation example with the use of the practical input data shows the impact of the
rate of utilising the production capacity on the mine unit production costs. In the example two variants
of annual working time are taken into account. Results of appropriate calculations are presented and
analysed in an aspect of reducing unit costs of production as a result of increasing rate of utilising the
mine production capacity.