The effects of roller conveyor on muscle activity in workpiece loading on CNC machining centre: a preliminary study

In the recent years, Advance Manufacturing Technology (AMT) has been widely used in manufacturing industry to increase manufacturing process capability. However, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine designs have only focused on its operational capability. The harmonious coordination between users and CNC machines is often neglected, which can contribute to hazardous working practices that can affect the health of users. Bending posture while loading the work piece to the machine can cause fatigue and discomfort to the users. Thus, the focus of this preliminary study is to analyse the effect of CNC machine work piece loading on muscle activity levels and to determine the effectiveness of roller conveyor in reducing muscle activity levels. Muscle activity has been analysed using surface electromyography (sEMG) technique. Erector spinae, biceps and trapezius muscles were concurrently measured during the work piece loading. Five male subjects (n=5) participated in the pre-intervention study and two subjects (n=2) in the post-intervention study (roller conveyor implementation) participated to test the effectiveness of the roller conveyor. Result pre-intervention study found that muscle activity level of biceps was the highest followed by trapezius and erector spinae. Based on the post-intervention study involving the roller conveyor, muscle activity of the erector spinae was reduced meanwhile the muscle activity of biceps and trapezius increased for both subjects

AN OVERVIEW OF ERGONOMICS PROBLEMS RELATED TO CNC MACHINING OPERATIONS

Abstract. In the new era of advanced manufacturing technology, machine tool design plays an important role in maximizing productivity and occupational health of industrial workers. However, the machine tool manufacturers face difficulty in designing an ergonomic machine tool that can be suited to Malaysian industrial workers because almost all machine tools were designed according to physical dimensions, capabilities and limitations of European or American populations. This mismatch between machine design and worker abilities may eventually lead to occupational injuries. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to disseminate information on ergonomics problem, assessment methods, and control measures associated with CNC machining operation. Published articles related to CNC machining operation have been reviewed. Based on published researches, work-related musculoskeletal disorders such as low-back pain, neck and shoulder problem have been identified as common health problems associated with the machine operation. Engineering and administrative controls have been proposed to minimize the health problems

Top Spray Fluidized Bed Granulated Paddy Urea Fertilizer

Top spray granulation process is a common technique used widely in pharmaceutical,food and special chemical modification for fertilizer manufacturing.Nevertheless, there is still a lack of studies regarding to the description of controlled parameters with dynamic correlation in targeting to produce urea granules.Thus, this research was carried out to introduce the crucial applied process parameters using top spray technique for paddy urea fertilizer production.The acquisition process parameter readings were verified by obtained yield of urea granules (UG) which featured as an optimum particle diameter size from 2 mm to 6 mm with reasonable hardness (crush strength) in range 2.0 kg/granule to 4.0 kg/granule,these criteria were required as a slow -release mechanism during soil adsorption interaction in paddy field to reduce amount of fertilizer consumption. Three significant parameters have been selected namely as air inlet temperature,the viscosity of binder solution and rate of top spraying from starch liquid binder to generate greater UG size from wet granulation interaction with smooth coalescence and consolidation growth.The data classification was screened by One-Factor-at-a-Time(OFAT) 101 method and supported by 2 levels and 3 factors (23 ) of full factorial design for clear description to vindicate the critical parameter required during urea granulation using fluidized bed granulator corresponds to low energy consumption and economical process.The obtained parameter readings and findings of UG features were useful to be applied further for detail investigation on next stage regarding to agglomeration profile and mechanism using CCD camera and PDA monitoring devices

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially