Massey Documents by Type

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294

Browse

Subject: search.filters.subject.Human engineering

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Applied human aesthetic in artificial limb design : research design development study : masters industrial design development study : [a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Design]
    (Massey University, 2005) Buxton, Daniel
    This abstract provides the reader with a brief overview of this Industrial Design Development study. The term Industrial Design is one that will not be readily recognised within the prosthetic industry around the world. One branch of Industrial Design is the application of 'humanistic factors' to product research, development and design. The visual aesthetic form of current artificial limb design appears to deliver an inconsistent communion with the functional criteria. This engineer dominated industry is motivated by product function while seemingly lacking consideration for factors like human/machine interface, comfort factors and natural structural form. The physiological expectations and user requirements of an amputee progressively dictate the functional advancements in research and development, and thus artificial limb research and development is at the forefront in robotic industries, material development and to a varied extent man machine interface systems. 'We've got to this international place in the world and I think that if we are going to do anything in New Zealand in the way of design, we have to first become jolly good designers.' Coe, J. (1972). (Interview). Nees,G. Five characters in search of a style. Designscape.33:2. 'Why don't we make artificial limbs that are not stumps or broomsticks?' Coe. J. {1972), (Interview). Nees,G. Five characters in search of a style. Designscape.33:2. In today's commercial environment there appears to be a growing demand for lower extremity prosthetic extensions that replicate the function of of the limbs being replaced. The artificial limb is a complex piece of equipment. Modern research and development processes are orientated towards an engineered functional outcome. Do current research and development processes place less consideration on the missing humanistic form than the function? What we are now seeing in research and development is micro-processor technology being integrated into the limb to control preset dynamic movements. This technology has greatly contributed to the mobility of thousands of amputees who otherwise would have been wheelchair bound. What is missing? The answer is the humanistic touch. We are now witnessing an overload of technological advances without any real consideration of the human aesthetic. Form has taken a back seat to the functional attribute. While functional values are of great importance, form should by no means be neglected. 'Possibly we should produce international artificial limbs and Maori artificial limbs?' Athield, I. (1972). (Interview). Nees,G. Five characters in search of a style. Designscape.33:2. The process of artificial limb attachment (suspension) requires the prosthesis to be attached to the existing 'residual limb'. The favoured and most accessible avenue for a transtibial (below knee) amputee is to use either a Urethane sleeve or a Vacuum Socket. These methods though successful, do not provide the residual limb with a habitable environment. Herein lies the dilemma. While an amputee is able to re-establish certain lost movements, both the humanistic and physical/physiological barriers remain. Aesthetic form is relegated to a distant second place. For some the absence of the aesthetic may be as devastating as the inability to function normally.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Muskuloskeletal disorders in the New Zealand sawmilling industry : prevalence, risk factors and intervention strategies : a thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MAster of Ergonomics at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2005) Edwin, Marion
    Government injury data indicated that New Zealand's sawmilling industry had a high number of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) claims of high cost. New Zealand's forestry and wood processing sector is also a growth industry, with 100 new mills likely to be developed by 2010. Required to address the high rate of MSDs is a systematic review of manual handling risk factors and the development of related intervention strategies. Detailed information on the prevalence and nature of MSDs in NZ sawmilling was sought. Available Accident Compensation Corporation injury records provided limited detail on the work tasks causing MSDs in sawmill workers. An industry survey of reported accidents for a 12 month period (September 2000-August 2001) was completed to determine MSD prevalence, and to identify sawmilling operations with high manual handling risks. 56% of MSD reports were from millhands and tablehands, who complete the majority of timber handling tasks. Back injuries accounted for 37% of MSD reports, and upper extremity complaints a further 35%. Tasks creating the largest proportion of MSDs in sawmills were pulling, sorting and stacking of timber from green or dry tables/chains (conveyors moving freshly sawn or kiln-dried timber, from which boards are taken and stacked), filleting tasks (stacking timber with spacer sticks before drying), and grading/sorting on the green table/chain. In case studies of two South Island sawmills, timber handling tasks at green and dry tables were investigated to determine manual handling risk factors. Karsh et al (2001) suggest that multiple intervention applications are the most successful in reducing MSDs. A range of assessment methods was therefore used to identify a range of manual handling risk factors and potential interventions. Assessments included worker interviews, archival data review, environmental assessment, lifting strength testing, force measurement, anthropometry, dimensional assessment, discomfort reporting, exertion scales, Rapid Entire Body Assessment, and application of a manual handling risk assessment. The manual handling risks identified were related to a wide range of aspects of the task (frequency, workplace design), worker (experience, training), load (timber size, chain/table design), environment (temperature, lighting) and management (task rotations, maintenance schedules). The intervention strategies developed to reduce the manual handling risks included workspace geometry (such as the relationship of timber on the table to the packet, and packet spacing), workflow management (such as task rotations, and managing peaks and troughs in production), task technique training (such as board throwing methods, induction training, and the use of protective aprons), table design (such as height, type of chain or conveyor), and glove design. Mill-specific recommendations based on these strategies were presented to the mills. Further work is indicated to evaluate the effectiveness of recommended intervention strategies.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Schoolbag carriage : design, adjustment, carriage duration and weight : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Ergonomics at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2006) Mackie, Hamish William
    There is anecdotal and scientific evidence to suggest that schoolbag carriage is associated with musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and possibly long-term back pain. Thus schoolbag carriage is an area of concern for students, parents and both education and health professionals. A schoolbag weight limit of 10% of body weight (BW) is currently recommended. However, it is based on subjective observations rather than objective findings and does not consider other aspects of schoolbag carriage such as schoolbag design and adjustment or carriage patterns. Five studies were conducted in order to determine the effects on students' responses to schoolbag carriage of schoolbag design, adjustment, carriage duration and weight. Backpack design had a significant effect on reported musculoskeletal discomfort and choice of backpack. Schoolbag hip-belt and shoulder strap adjustment and weight significantly affected shoulder strap tension forces and shoulder interface pressure in simulated schoolbag carriage. Using activity monitoring, school students were found to spend approximately two hours carrying their schoolbags each day. This usually comprised 11-15 times per day of 8-9 minutes of carriage. Using this temporal pattern information, 16 boys (13-14 years) were exposed to a simulated school day using schoolbags weighing 0, 5, 10, 12.5 and 15% BW and an additional condition of 10% BW with tighter shoulder straps. Posture, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), muscular strain and reported ability to walk and balance were significantly affected when schoolbag load reached 10% BW. However, despite these findings, the magnitude of self reported muscular strain and MSD suggested that 15% BW may be too heavy for school students. Thus, 10% BW may be an appropriate upper schoolbag weight limit for a typical school day. Using a psychophysical approach the mean (standard deviation) maximum acceptable schoolbag weight (MASW) selected by 16 school boys (13-14 years) was 10.4(3.8) %BW. This finding agrees with the findings of the previous study and supports the current schoolbag weight recommendation of 10% BW. The results of the five studies can be used in developing schoolbag carrying guidelines to help reduce the prevalence of MSD amongst school students.