Title: Determination of the key workposture and muscle fatigue measurements for the ergonomic design of coconut grater using SEMG

Authors: Naveen Kumar Raju; Shankar Subramanium; Lakshman Balasubramanium; Gokul Chandran; Kishore Sasikumar; Jannakiraman Sellappan

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kongu Engineering College, Erode 638060, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Kongu Engineering College, Erode 638060, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kongu Engineering College, Erode 638060, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kongu Engineering College, Erode 638060, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kongu Engineering College, Erode 638060, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kongu Engineering College, Erode 638060, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: This study aims to ergonomically validate the most commonly used coconut graters that are available in the Indian market. The study mainly evaluates the muscle loading in the upper limb during the coconut grinding process at different working posture using surface electromyography (SEMG). Twelve volunteers participated in the experimental trial and performed coconut grinding operations using three different commercially available graters. During the trial, their hand muscle activities are recorded using EMG sensors at two commonly adopted work posture (sitting and squatting). Mean power frequency (MPF) and root mean square (RMS) values are extracted from EMG signals to find the muscle fatigue and engagement during the grating process. Results revealed that grater 3 showed less muscle fatigue and muscle loading compared to graters 1 and 2. Sitting posture is more effective than squatting posture in terms of reducing muscle fatigue. Flexor carpi radialis (FCR) right and left are more engaged during the coconut grating process compared to extensor carpi radialis (ECR) right and left.

Keywords: coconut grater; musculoskeletal; ergonomic evaluation; electromyography; EMG; mean power frequency; MPF; root mean square; RMS.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIR.2022.127610

International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 2022 Vol.29 No.4, pp.538 - 553

Received: 10 Sep 2020
Accepted: 28 Oct 2020
Published online: 13 Dec 2022 *

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