Ergonomics analysis of muscle activity of workers in a metal stamping industry / Md Fuad Bahari ... [et al.]

Occupational health is considered as a crucial element in almost every Small and Medium Industries (SMIs) and it is believed to be one of vital challenges that can influence productivity and competitiveness. It has been known that the metal stamping industry involved a lot of materials handling tasks such as carrying stamped parts from machine to packaging section, transferring moulds from tools store to machines, sorting the finished products and others. Appropriate materials handling equipments are not often provided in SMIs because of the limitation of capital and lack of ergonomics awareness. The workers have to handle the materials and goods manually. These practices may lead to occupational injuries particularly back pain and musculoskeletal injuries. The objectives of the research are to assess and analyze the muscles activity of workers in metal stamping industry. Three male workers who performed metal stamping process using manual technique were participated in the research. Ergonomic assessment associated with Surface Electromyography (SEMG) was used to capture and interpret the data related to muscles activity at before and after the ergonomic intervention. For the purpose of muscle activity assessment, SEMG electrodes were attached to eight critical muscles: deltoid muscle-medial part (left), deltoid muscle-medial part (right), trapezius muscle (left), trapezius muscle (right), erector spinae muscle (left), erector spinae muscle (right), gastrocnemius muscle (left) and gastrocnemius muscle (right). An ergonomically designed workstation has improved working posture and reduced the total muscle work/loading by about 43 % if it is properly utilized. This design approach can be adopted to improve the working conditions of industrial workers and thus enhance the occupational health practices

A review on methods of finding losses and cooling methods to increase efficiency of electric machines

Performance of electric motors and losses in terms of heat and temperature are reviewed in this paper. Airgap eccentricity, electromagnetic performance, effect of temperature and losses are shown as factors affecting the efficiency. Several methods of computer aided analyses are listed. Temperature distribution in an induction motor is shown through the results of a simulation. Different cooling methods are reviewed. Future directions for research include cryogenic cooling, heat pipes and usage of phase change materials

Modeling and Simulation of Electric Motors Using Lightweight Materials

Electric motors are utilitarian devices of great potential as they can limit the amount of pollution by drastically reducing the release of harmful gases. The implementation of the right type of advanced materials plays a vital role in the amelioration of modern automobiles while maintaining and/or improving the performance and efficiency of the electric motor. The use of lightweight materials could result in a better-performing vehicle that can be much less heavy. The replacement of regular cast iron, steel, and aluminum with lightweight materials such as fiber-reinforced polymer, carbon fiber, and polymer composites can reduce the weight of the motor without impacting its performance and improve its energy-saving capacity. This paper explores a way to reduce motor weight by employing a PA6GF30 30% glass fiber-reinforced polymer casing to reduce the weight of the motor while making cooling system modifications. This material was applied to the motor casing, which resulted in a significant reduction in weight compared to the water-cooled electric motor of aluminum (Alloy 195 cast) casing

Modeling and Simulation of Electric Motors Using Lightweight Materials

Electric motors are utilitarian devices of great potential as they can limit the amount of pollution by drastically reducing the release of harmful gases. The implementation of the right type of advanced materials plays a vital role in the amelioration of modern automobiles while maintaining and/or improving the performance and efficiency of the electric motor. The use of lightweight materials could result in a better-performing vehicle that can be much less heavy. The replacement of regular cast iron, steel, and aluminum with lightweight materials such as fiber-reinforced polymer, carbon fiber, and polymer composites can reduce the weight of the motor without impacting its performance and improve its energy-saving capacity. This paper explores a way to reduce motor weight by employing a PA6GF30 30% glass fiber-reinforced polymer casing to reduce the weight of the motor while making cooling system modifications. This material was applied to the motor casing, which resulted in a significant reduction in weight compared to the water-cooled electric motor of aluminum (Alloy 195 cast) casing