Author : Samata Satish Mujumdar , Varsha Karandikar and S.M.Sane

This paper aims to investigate Ergonomic aspect of machine design and design of a work station to kill the root cause of the problem. The use of ergonomic principles in automobile assembly and manufacturing operations has become an important part of a comprehensive health and safety process as well as an integral part of the engineering systems. Most of the automobile companies have developed an ergonomics process to manage issues related to injury and illness and to ensure the appropriate use of human resources on the plant shop floor. The ergonomics programme uses joint labor and management teams to identify and evaluate jobs and develop and implement solutions. In this paper, through a case study related to Manual number punching machine ergonomic issues, we will study the process thoroughly then identify the root causes of problems and Ergonomics job analysis sheet and guidelines are presented in a systematic manner. The guidelines provide a conceptual basis for a good workstation design. In a real world design situation, the recommendations from ergonomic job analysis or guidelines are used as a basis for the design of workstations in engine component machining and engine assembly area. The procedure for determining the workstation dimensions and layout has been explained. A case problem (Barrel Injector number punching machine) is discussed to illustrate the workstation design procedure with the application of engineering anthropometry.

Keywords: workstation design, ergonomics guidelines, engineering anthropometry.

Article published in International Journal of Current  Engineering  and Technology, Vol.3,No.4(Oct- 2013)