Title: Smart workstation design: an ergonomics and methods engineering approach

Authors: Ashraf A. Shikdar, Mohamed A. Al-Hadhrami

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al-Khod 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al-Khod 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Abstract: The objective of this research was to design and develop a smart workstation for performing industrial assembly tasks. A fully adjustable ergonomically designed workstation was developed, with special features such as a motorised table for upward, downward and angular movements, an ergonomic chair with adjustable seat pan, arm support and back support, and a mechanism for bins and tools locations. The workstation could be used as a sit, stand or sit-stand workstation. The range of table height movement was 700–1050 mm, with an angular movement of 45°; chair height was 430–560 mm, back-support tilt 30° and elbow support height 230–330 mm. There was a significant difference in workstation set-up parameters of the participants and fixed parameters of an existing assembly workstation. The performance of the participants was 42.8% higher in the smart workstation compared to the existing workstation. Flexibility in workstation set-up can eliminate the anthropometric and ergonomic problems of fixed workstations and boost the operator|s performance.

Keywords: ergonomic design; flexible workstations; assembly tasks; worker productivity; workstation design; industrial assembly.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISE.2007.013184

International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2007 Vol.2 No.4, pp.363 - 374

Published online: 11 Apr 2007 *

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