The Influence of Different Hand Tool Designs on the Perception of Aesthetics, Ergonomics and Usability

The perception of products in terms of ergonomics, usability and beauty remains to be important issues in product design. A positive impression must be made for consumers. A product must be ergonomic and visually appealing in order for the product to be used safely and effectively. Therefore, understanding the perception of ergonomics, usability and aesthetics is an important issue for product designers. Apart from being visually appealing, the product must be perceived as ergonomic and usable, as the ergonomic design of hand tools may alleviate the occurence of upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. In this study, the perception of ergonomics, usability and aesthetics were evaluated for an existing hand tool (R1) and a proposed design (R2). Questions related to ergonomics, usability and aesthetics were combined to form a survey. A sample of 50 undergraduates were chosen as the respondents. The results indicated that R1 was rated less visually appealing than the new design, R2. Participants perceived the new design, R2 to be more ergonomic and usable than R1. Furthermore, a weak correlation between perception of ergonomics, usability and aesthetics were observed for this study. In general, ergonomic design factors are hard to be perceived by consumers. Possible ramifications of this relationship are discussed in this paper

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

Hand Parameters And Walking Stick Design: A Case Study Among Elderly Malaysians

According to the World Bank, in 2015, the elderly population reaches 8.5% of the world's population. This number grows at 0.13% per annum. In Malaysia, the growth reaches 0.2% of this population annually. Assistive tools such as a walking stick to support the elderly people have become necessary. However, much uncertainty still exists about the relation between the walking stick design and the Malaysian elderly. The objectives of the study were to measure hand dimension and hand grip strength of Malaysian elderly and to relate the hand dimension with the walking sticks being used. There were 50 Malaysian elderly participated in this study and three designs of walking stick available in the market were tested. The first design (handle A) was round and padded, the second design (handle B) was rectangular curve and the third design (Handle C) was round curve. Statistical analysis between hand size and hand surface area shows a linear relationship with R2 = 54% and significant with p-value < 0.05. As for the relationship between the contact area of stick handle and hand size, a linear relationship was found with R2 = 53.3% for handle A, R2 = 46.5% for handle B, and R2 = 36.6% for handle C. This study concluded that the walking stick with high contact area provides better grip and comfort

Design of Noise Insulator for Metal Stamping Operation in Manufacturing Sector

Metal stamping is one of the processes involved in metal manufacturing in which dies are used to cut or form flat metal sheets into desired shapes. Consequently, noise is produced from the process. Prolonged exposure to the noise can lead to the health problems, low productivity and low performance of workers. The aim of this study is to design a noise insulator for noise level reduction in a metal stamping operation. This study applied workplace observation, questionnaire survey and noise mapping at the metal stamping workstations.&nbsp; A prototype design of noise insulator was developed through brainstorming among the metal stamping workers, questionnaire survey and morphological chart. Recycled papers and coconut fibers were used as materials of the noise insulator. Noise level assessment was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the developed noise insulator. The noise levels have been effectively reduced to 70.3 dBA by 17.2%. This study concluded that application of materials such as recycled papers and coconut fibers in making of noise insulator was able to reduce noise levels in metal stamping operation. This study suggests that the real fabrication and application should be implemented in the metal stamping operation to reduce the risk of noise exposure to the workers

System Identification of XY Table ballscrew drive using parametric and non parametric frequency domain estimation via deterministic approach

System Identification of a system is the very first part in design control procedure of mechatronics system. There are several ways in which a system can be identified. An example of well known techniques are using time domain and frequency domain approach. This paper is focused on the fundamental aspect of system identification of mechatronics system in which it includes the step by step procedure on how to perform system identification. The system for this case is XY milling table ballscrew drive. Both parametric and nonparametric procedure. In addition, comparison of estimated model transfer function obtained via non-linear least square (NLLS) and Linear least square estimator algorithm were also being addressed. It shows that the NLLS technique perform better than LLS technique for this case. LLS technique for this case. The result was judged based on result was judged based on result was judged based on the requirement during model validation procedure such as through heuristic approach (graphical observation) of best fit model with respect to the frequency response function (FRF) of the system

A review of user-centred design methods for designing a portable oil spill skimmer

Boom and skimmer are mechanical techniques in Oil Spill Response and Recovery (OSRR) that collect oil from the water surface. However, there are several drawbacks of using boom and skimmer, such as the oil could pass over the boom during strong wind and high tides. Moreover, the currently available oil skimmer designed by the engineers is heavy-duty; in consequence, it is ineffective in shallow water. Thus, there is a need to develop a portable oil spill skimmer to complement the current drawbacks. Several journals on the fabrication of the oil spill skimmer were reviewed. Findings from literature shows that the development of oil spill skimmer lacks user requirements when designing a portable oil spill skimmer. This article provides a systematic review of Kansei Engineering and the Analytical Hierarchy Process in the product development process. Therefore, Kansei Engineering and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) can be incorporated in the early stage of designing a portable oil spill skimmer. This paper also includes the application of Kansei Engineering and AHP in design research articles. Findings from observed articles indicate a lack of design and development technologies relating to products for environmental protection; the AHP and Kansei Engineering application is somewhat lacking. Moreover, the fabrication of an oil spill skimmer focuses more on technical specifications and includes fewer user requirements. As a result, the characteristics such as ease of use, robustness, and safety cannot be evaluated. The AHP and Kansei Engineering methodology can be extended to the design and manufacture of products for environmental protection

Challenges in establishing the professional ergonomist certification scheme in Malaysia

The certified professional ergonomist scheme is a requirement for any country that wishes to recognize the field of ergonomics as a professional service rendered by qualified and competent persons for the benefit of the public. Various countries like USA, Europe, Australia and New Zealand have already established the professional ergonomist scheme in their countries. However the recognition for the need to have a professional ergonomist certification scheme is slowly being brought forth in developing countries such as Malaysia, where the field of ergonomics is relatively unknown to the Malaysian public. However, since the field of ergonomics have become more popular in Malaysia, the need to have a Malaysian professional ergonomist certification scheme became quite important. Developing a professional ergonomist certification scheme in Malaysia is not without any challenges. Some of the notable challenges are the absence of any clearly stated standards or regulation within legal framework which requires ergonomics competency, establishing educational standards which are culturally relevant to Malaysia, establishing the route of certification which suites Malaysia context due to diversity of experience, exposure to ergonomics intervention and other programs and operational challenges in setting up Malaysian ergonomist certification framework. All these challenges are described in this paper

The Influence of Hand Tool Design on Hand Grip Strength: A Review

Hand is made up of bones, tendons, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels that can be easily debilitated and injured if the hand tool is not design ergonomically. Recently researchers have examined the effects of individual, environmental and occupational factors on hand grip strength. However, information on the influence of hand tool design on hand grip strength is still lacking. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of factors influencing hand grip strength focusing more towards hand tool design factors. The authors searched the journal articles, book and guidelines from the online databases of Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and Pubmed. Fourteen factors of hand tools design were found to have significant effect on the hand grip strength.&nbsp; The handle size shows the most significant factor for hand grip strength

Design of noise insulator for metal stamping operation in manufacturing sector

Metal stamping is one of the processes involved in metal manufacturing industry in which dies are used to cut or form flat metal sheets into desired shapes. Consequently, noise is produced from the process. Prolonged exposure to the noise can lead to the health problems, hinder productivity and low performance of workers. The aim of this study was to design a noise insulator prototype for noise level reduction in a metal stamping operation. This study applied workplace observation, questionnaire survey and noise mapping at the metal stamping workstations. A prototype design of noise insulator was developed through brainstorming among the metal stamping workers, questionnaire survey and morphological chart. Recycled papers and coconut fibers were used as materials of the noise insulator. Noise level assessment was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the developed noise insulator. The noise levels have been effectively reduced to 70.3 dBA by 17.2%. This study concluded that application of materials such as recycled papers and coconut fibers in making of noise insulator was able to reduce noise levels in metal stamping operation. This study suggests that the real fabrication and application should be implemented in the metal stamping operation to reduce the risk of noise exposure to the worker

Review On Controller Design In Pneumatic Actuator Drive System

A pneumatic actuator is a device that converts compressed air into mechanical energy to perform varieties of work. It exhibits high nonlinearities due to high friction forces, compressibility of air and dead band of the spool movement which is difficult to manage and requires an appropriate controller for better performance. The purpose of this study is to review the controller design of pneumatic actuator recommended by previous researchers from the past years. Initially, the basic views of the pneumatic will be presented in terms of introduction to the pneumatic actuator and its applications in industries. At the end of this review, discussions on the design of the controllers will be concluded and further research will be proposed along with the improvement of control strategies in the pneumatic actuator systems