Production Ergonomics

Workstation knowledgebase
See also: How to design a workstation

[Only "Fixtures" is linked on this sample page]

Fixtures: bench top
  • backstop
  • pins
  • cradle
  • quick release
  • powered clamps
  • tiltable fixture
  • ball joints
  • rotating

Fixtures: free-standing
  • shop stands
  • positioner stands
  • pedestals
  • trunnions
  • work positioner
  • programmable positioner
  • upender fixture
  • welding jig

Height adjustment
  • risers
  • blocks/leg extensions
  • set screws/slide bolts
  • pedestals
  • pneumatic spring lifts
  • hand cranks
  • push button

Visual Access
  • heights, reaches, orientation
  • layout and location
  • guides and markers
  • mirrors
  • visibility

Lighting
  • overhead
  • task lighting
  • standard fluorescent
  • light boxes
  • head lights
  • special tasks
  • fiber-optic and LED

Magnification
  • basic magnifiers
  • light magnifiers
  • video systems
  • loupes
  

Parts handling
  • design to slide
  • minimize distances
  • parts stands
  • parts presenters
  • orient for use
  • parts holders
  

Storage
  • 5S
  • casters
  • shelf heights
  • articulating arms
  • carousels
  • lateral sliding bins
  • aprons
  

Surface size
  • minimize surface dimensions
  • eliminate the surface
  • temporary additional space
  • cutouts
  

Surface material
  • matte
  • low friction
  • high friction
  • special
  • thickness
  

Slanted surface
  • benchtop stands
  • slanted bench
  • slanted production line
  • slanted machine orientation
  

Standing platforms
  • basic
  • stackable
  • drop down/swing out
  • rack style
  • portable step platforms
  • hand crank
  • powered, large & small
  

Arm supports
  • ledges
  • articulating arm
  • slanted supports
  • designed into machine
  • bench edge cushioning
  • small benchtop cushions
  

Clearance
  • thin surfaces
  • raise heights
  • indents and recesses
  • extend controls
  

Sit-stand
  • standing height with tall stool
  • adjustable workstation
  

Seating
  • features of a good chair
  • lumbar support
  • slant vs. right angle
  • lean stands
  

Flooring
  • woodblock
  • wood decking
  • grating
  • anti-fatigue mats
  • rubber sidewalk
  

Footrests
  • sitting or standing
  • box
  • step stool
  • rocking
  • adjustable height
  • chair ring
  • built-in
  

Layouts
  • the basics
  • 5S
  • flow
  • strategies for arrangement
  

Temperature

  • fresh air ducts
  • cold air deflectors
  • evaporative coolers
  • big ceiling fans 

  Specific applications

Conveyor workstations
  • placement of tools & materials
  • rotators
  • tilters
  • integrated lifts
  • integrated upenders
  • knee clearance
  • the moving line
  

Packing stations
  • bagging
  • boxing
  • shrink wrap
  • tape dispensers
  • label dispensers
  

Packing: Taping and labeling
  • label peelers
  • label dispensers
  • paper tape dispensers
  • clear tape dispensers
  • taping/labeling machines
  

Packing: Stretch wrap
  • long handle dispenser
  • walk around dispensers
  • automatic wrappers
    

Assembly of large metal cabinets
  • panel handling
  • cabinet manipulation
  • movement
  • work platforms