Ergonomic Evaluation of Work Stations Related With the Operation of Advanced Manufacturing Technology Equipment: Two cases of study

This paper presents two cases of study where ergonomic evaluations were conducted in work stations related with the operation of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) equipment: Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Milling Machine and (CNC) Lathe. The Marley and Kumar (1996) Body Map format among 10 workers was conducted for pain in discomfort study and Hignett and Mc Atamney (2000) REBA method was used for ergonomic evaluation. Shoulders, middle back, hand and arm pain was identified. The evaluation results indicated a medium risk level for both work stations according to REBA. Recommendations for changes in equipment components and the work station are presented and it is found that models that would help identify and evaluate ergonomic aspects related with AMT equipment are desirable among decision makers, owners and users.