Workstation and posture improvement in cutting machine process using virtual modelling

Abstract

Abstract The activity of squatting and bending can cause an awkward working body posture and the risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD). This is mainly happening in the cutting machine process as a workstation that needs high precision so that it requires close eye contact with the workpiece. Through an initial assessment using an NBM questionnaire, it is obtained that almost all of the Cutting Operator’s body parts are uncomfortable after finish working. A further investigation is done towards two healthy males (height 169 ± 1.4 cm and weight 73.75 ± 2.5 kg) by capturing the current working body posture and then to be translated to a virtual model and virtual environment, by using JACK 8.2 software. The MSD risk parameters are using PEI by processing LBA, OWAS, and RULA data. Improvement of the posture is done by enhancing the workstation through virtual simulation so that the PEI on the two operators are decreasing from 2.81 and 2.43 to 1.52 and 1.12. Unexpected things happen in this semi-manual cutting workstation, the awkward posture is inevitable as seen in the RULA output of the improved workstation that did not show if the posture is safe from MSD risks. However, MSD risks can be reduced.