Smart workstation design: an ergonomics and methods engineering approach

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 7001050 mm, with an angular movement of 45; chair height was 430560 mm, back-support tilt 30 and elbow support height 230330 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.