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Abstract: The design of ergonomic tool handles is crucial for user comfort and performance, yet conventional stiff materials often lead to uneven pressure distribution and discomfort. This study investigates the application of 3D-printed cellular metamaterials with tunable stiffness, specifically gyroid structures, to enhance the ergonomic and haptic properties of tool handles. We employed finite element analysis to simulate finger–handle interactions and conducted subjective comfort evaluations with participants using a foxtail saw with handles of varying gyroid infill densities and a rigid PLA handle. Numerical results demonstrated that handles with medium stiffness significantly reduced peak contact pressures and promoted a more uniform pressure distribution compared to the stiff PLA handle. The softest gyroid handle, while compliant, exhibited excessive deformation, potentially compromising stability. Subjective comfort ratings corroborated these findings, with medium-stiffness handles receiving the highest scores for overall comfort, fit, and force transmission. These results highlight that a plateau-like mechanical response of the 3D-printed cellular metamaterial handle, inversely bioinspired by human soft tissue, effectively balances pressure redistribution and grip stability. This bioinspired design approach offers a promising direction for developing user-centered products that mitigate fatigue and discomfort in force-intensive tasks.
Keywords: bioinspired design, product ergonomics, 3D printing, tool handle, finite element method, user comfort, cellular metamaterials
Published in DKUM: 03.11.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 4
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Abstract: Theoretical background: The transition to enforced working from home (EWfH) due to the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered work dynamics, necessitating a reevaluation of traditional labor relations and service delivery. This shift underscores the need for comprehensive organizational support, with theoretical frameworks like the job demands-resources (JD-R) model and work-life boundary management theory highlighting the impact of remote work on employee well-being, productivity, and job satisfaction. These frameworks suggest that well-being is influenced by the balance between job demands and resources, and how individuals manage work-life boundaries, laying the groundwork for exploring how organizational support can address EWfH challenges. Purpose of the article: This article aims to delve into organizational support during EWfH and its impact on employee well-being. It focuses on identifying critical support aspects and their influence on subjective well-being, providing insights into effective remote work practices and guiding organizations in supporting their workforce post-pandemic. Research methods: Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study surveyed 429 Polish employees across different sectors, complemented by qualitative interviews for deeper insight. This methodology enabled the collection of comprehensive data on employer support perceptions and their impact on remote working well-being, analyzed through statistical and thematic analysis methods. Main findings: Key findings underscore the importance of effective communication, resource access, well-being support, and career growth opportunities as crucial organizational support aspects for remote employees. A significant correlation was found between organizational support levels and enhanced employee well-being, with higher support linked to reduced stress, improved work-life balance, and increased job satisfaction. The study also emphasizes the need for personalized support strategies, accounting for individual differences and home working environments, to foster a positive remote working experience and ensure long-term productivity and well-being. The main application of your paper, which examines the impact of company policies on employee well-being during EWfH, could be the development of a comprehensive guide or toolkit for organizations to better support their remote workforce. This application would be particularly relevant to HR departments, managers and organizational leaders.
Keywords: well-being, organizational support, ergonomics
Published in DKUM: 27.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 2
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Abstract: A new approach for spatial modelling of transport mode choice is presented in the paper. The approach tackles the problem by considering the trade-off between subjective and objective factors. To obtain mode Preference Rates (PRs) based on subjective factors, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method is applied. The objective factors are expressed with the journey time from any point in the map to destination according to the available transport mode choice on the specific connection. The results are presented as PRs of individual transport modes. The model is validated on the con-ducted the survey, with students of Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) as a target audience. Members of different target groups (age, national, employment) decide differently regarding the transport choice, so it is better to analyse them separately. The presented model can be used for the city transport planning in any urban area. It can help promote the sustainable modes of transport in the areas that are less adjusted in sustainable manner.
Keywords: transport mode choice, passenger transport, spatial modelling, city transport planning, city mobility, urban logistics, ergonomics, AHP, decision-making policy, GIS, students, objective and subjective factors, transport management
Published in DKUM: 10.12.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 18
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Abstract: The logistics sector should strive for sustainability alongside productivity by protecting its order pickers' health and welfare. Existing storage assignment models are mainly based on the criterion of order picking time and, to a lesser extent, the human factor. In the paper, a solution to a storage assignment problem using a multi-objective model based on binary integer linear programing is presented by developing a solution that considers order picking time, energy expenditure and health risk. The Ovako Working Posture Assessment System (OWAS) method was used for health risk assessment. The downside of solely health risk-optimization is that the average order picking time increases by approximately 33 % compared to solely time-optimization. Contrary to this, the developed multi-objective function emphasizing time has proven to be promising in finding a compromise between the optimal order picking time and eliminating work situations with a very-high risk for injuries. Its use increases the time by only 3.8 % compared to solely time-optimization while significantly reducing health risk.
Keywords: productivity, energy expenditure, order picking, order picking system, health risk, OWAS, multi-objective modeling, planning, logistics, ergonomics
Published in DKUM: 13.08.2024; Views: 109; Downloads: 12
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Abstract: Successful companies are continually striving to streamline costs and optimize processes, enabling them to grow progress, develop and ensure competitiveness on the market. A large part of the costs arises in warehouses, where up to 55% of total costs are generated by order- picking, which makes it important and interesting in terms of research. The paper explores "picker to part" order- picking concept, which enables flexible work and is the optimal choice for most companies. The concept is associated with a high level of work- related injuries and work -related illnesses. Work requires physical efforts resulting from handling heavy goods, performing repetitive movements and using manipulative means. Hum an as the main actor of the concept affects the costs caused by picking and the quality of work done, which depends on technological support, physically and psychologically capable and motivated people. Due to the high costs of service, the focus on time planning and productivity increases. Contrary, the lack of attention is paid to the working conditions and the health status of the pickers. To overcome this gab, a review of scientific and professional literature on ergonomic principles in picking concept "picker to part" was carried out, followed by a quantitative survey of ergonomic properties in warehousing activities. Results revealed that more than 60% of the surveyed order-pickers associate problems with health with the characteristics of work, about 24% of them associate health problems with the use of a particular means of transport, and all agree that provided measures to reduce physical effort and greater support of technologies influence on increased speed of work and better health status of order-pickers.
Keywords: injuries, picker-to-part, ergonomics, picking, productivity, costs
Published in DKUM: 25.04.2018; Views: 1555; Downloads: 543
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