Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 17.15
Gripping aids for an
assembly workstation. From Luczak
(1993). (A) and (B): gripping against a
soft surface; (C) tweezers or tongs
used against a rippled table surface;
(D) container with inclined opening;
(E) a ring holder with small bottom
diameter; (F) automatic feeding of
parts; (G) use of vacuum gripper.
17.6
HUMAN FACTORS PRINCIPLES IN DESIGN FOR
ASSEMBLY
MTM and other PTMS methods are used to predict the time for manual assembly. These
methods do not explicitly consider the time required for human information processing.
Yet there are many design features that can affect the information processing time. Table
17.3 lists several human factors principles that are applicable to design for human
assembly (DHA), including design features that reduce human information processing
time.
To make it easy to manipulate parts, one can design for feedback. This will also
reduce information processing time. An example of tactile feedback is the use of physical
stop barriers. When a part is moved against a stop there is a sensation in the fingers,
tactile feedback which indicates that the task has been completed. Auditory feedback is
helpful not only with parts but also for hand tools and controls and for hand tools
operating on parts. In this case a sound is produced that indicates task completion. For
example, the clicking sound of a switch, or the ricketing noise of a hydraulic screwdriver,
indicating that the task was completed.
