###### Abstract
Besides the minimization of the global completion time and the production cost, the minimization of the maximum machines exploitation time is considered an innovative optimization criterion to reach high quality products. [PERSON] et al. [16] proposed a multi-objective approach for the RMS design optimization, considering as objective functions the maximization of the modularity of the system, the minimization of the overall cost of the system, and the minimization of the completion time. The authors solved this model using an archived multi-objective simulated annealing method. [PERSON] et al. [9; 17] defined an optimization model for the RMS design and management balancing the trade-off between the machine reconfiguration and the inter-cell part travel time. As emerged from the literature review analysis, most of the existing studies face the RMS design and management from a techno-economic perspective. The inclusion of the ergonomic dimension has not yet been explored properly and few studies exist. Among these, [PERSON] et al. [18] proposed an approach based on an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to support the decision makers in the selection of the best RMS configuration, according to both technical and health and safety (HS) performance indicators, e.g., a musculoskeletal trouble indicator, a repeatability indicator, and a noise indicator. The authors proved the benefits of including HS aspects in the RMS design. [PERSON] et al. [19] introduced a multi-criteria decision tool based on TOPSIS methodology for the evaluation and selection of alterative RMS configurations according to technical and ergonomic indicators, e.g., load, postures, and working conditions. Recently, [PERSON] et al. [20] defined a practical methodological and operative framework supporting the integration of ergonomics, safety, and human factors in the emerging reconfigurable manufacturing environments. The main relevant feature of this methodology is to collect the main activities to be performed in an RMS that requires manual operations and to link these actions to specific HR critical areas, i.e., working postures, manual handling tasks, safety, fatigue, and stress. However, quantitative methods and tools supporting the design and management of RMSs including ergonomic aspects are missing in the current literature and highly expected. To fill this gap, this paper proposes and applies an innovative bi-objective techno-ergonomic optimization model for the design and management of RMSs. According to the ISO 11228-3 standard, the ergonomic issue is addressed in terms of minimization of the repetitive movements performed by the human operators during the working activities,using the Occupational Repetitive Actions (OCRA) index. Specifically, the OCRA method is an ergonomic risk assessment methodology developed to analyze the risk factors in repetitive work that may cause work-related upper limb disorders [21]. The quantitative measure for the ergonomic risk assessment with the OCRA method is the OCRA index, which represents the ratio between the overall number of actual technical actions (ATA) performed by the worker during the work-shift and the number of reference technical actions (RTA), for each upper limb, performed in the same time slot. The overall number of ATA carried out in the work-shift is determined from the analysis of the technical actions performed in a representative cycle and the net duration of the investigated repetitive task. The number of RTA within the same work-shift is based on the analysis of the risk factors for work-related upper limb disorders, including the force exertions associated with the work, awkward postures and movements of the upper body segments, job control and work organization, and a set of environmental factors such as, for example, noise, vibration, the requirement for absolute accuracy, and the use of personal protective equipment that may interfere with handling ability. This risk assessment methodology is commonly used in industrial research as well as in the field of Occupational Medicine.