การออกแบบและพัฒนาเคียวตัดทางใบปาล์มตามหลักการยศาสตร์

Abstract

The purposes of this research were: 1) To investigate the characteristics of sickle affected to capabilities and comfortable to use, 2) To design and develop of sickle for palm frond cutting based on ergonomics. The research methodology started from surveying the problems of work stations, characteristic of tools and work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). Next, created a sickle prototype to compare original and new model, the comparison considers on the force, the number of cuts per frond, satisfaction, discomfort on hand, and posture analysis which investigation based on Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method. The results of the study were as follows: 1) The new models could reduce the force of about 49%, 2) The number of cut was reduced from 3.43 ± 1.04 to 2.03 ± 0.18 times per frond, 3) Farmers were more satisfied, 4) The pressure on hand was distributed equally, 5) The final RULA score of all harvesters were 7. It indicated that further investigation and changes were required immediately. From the detail analysis on each body part score, it highlighted the critical posture risks on wrist. The new model could reduce those risks. However, the redesign of cutting tools was also recommended for further reduction of these risks.