OBJECTIVE The objective of this experiment Study ergonomic principles in designing of hand tools.

Observe some existing hand tools and machines. Designing of hand tools and machines using ergonomic principles to eliminate the existing shortcoming.

PRESCRIBED HAND TOOL We are assigned to analyze an existing hand tool (hammer) and have been asked to bring some modification on it. We have chosen an available hammer from the market for our experiment.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A HAMMER DESCRIPTION A hammer is a tool meant to deliver an impact to an object. Hammers are often used for a specific purpose and vary widely in their shape and structure. The most common uses are Driving nails Fitting parts Metal forging And breaking up the object

The usual feature of a hammer is hand and head. HEAD Made of stone , iron ( for greater impact) Wood ( for lesser impact) Mostly used for inserting a pin and leveling the pin with the surface. HAND Made of wood Used to hold the tool

DRAWING Drawing of the existing hammer (collected from market)

Figure 1

REASONS FOR CHANGING As the handle of the hammer is thin slotted, it will create a vibration effect. Affecting median nerve resulting in numbness or pain in hand. As it has less contacted surface with hand, it disturbed the blood flow in the palm of the hand. Chance of slipping from hand. Doesnt maintain a straight wrist. Reduction in grip strength. Quick fatigue in hand.

PROPOSED MODEL DRAWING

Figure 2

CHANGES IN THE DESIGN Thinness of the handle has been increased. An impression has been made for thumb. A slot has been cut to accommodate the fist which will increase the grip strength.

CHANGING PARAMETER A survey has been made on a wood shop among ten workers.

Study 1 Determining standard thumb impression design. Results: standard thumb width is 1.8 cm, thumb length is 2.8 cm.

Study 2 Determining fist length. Results: standard fist length is 6.3 cm.

COMPARISON

Existing one has been designed straight slotted handle. Such handle has a chance of slipping from hand. Modified one has thumb impression which will restrain it from slipping. We have designed handle for power grip in the modified one which was absent in the existing one. So that major compressive forces will be shared by the four fingers by making fist and does thumb impression has been made on the other side. Thus avoid carpal tunnel syndrome. Thumb support in the handle will help to maintain straight wrist which is an important principles while designing a hand tools. To get the best grip strength, straight wrist should be maintained. For operating hammer forces work at an angle with the forearm which is a type of power grip. We have designed our tool for power grip. In the modified design finger strip control has been applied which is not present in the existing design to reduce vibration effects.

From the above comparison we get in the result that modified one does the best service over existing one.

DISCUSSION We have proposed our modified hammer after analyzing different aspect of hand tool design. As we conducted a survey on the workers, it gives an authenticity in our given data of thumb impression and fist. Modified design helps the workers to keep their fatigue intact and the design can minimize the chances of occurring the diseases caused by improper handling of tool. Thinness of the handle has also be increased keeping the comfort level of worker in mind. We think all the modification will definitely help to lessen the vibration effect in hand and maintain a straight wrist.

CONCLUSION To work efficiently it is important to handle any tool comfortably. Considering that, we have designed our tool which will increase the efficiency of the workers. Thus working time will reduce and productivity will increase as well.

REFERENCES 1. Human Factors In Engineering And Design By Mark S. Sanders, Earnest J.Mccormick Chapter 12 page (384-412)

2. Introduction To Ergonomics By R.S. Bridger