Ergonomics:

The relationship between man & machine and the application of anatomical,
physiological & psychological principles to solve the problems arising from
man-machine relationship are known as ergonomics.

It is derived from two Greek words- Ergon & Nomos

Ergon means Work while Nomos means Natural Laws
Ergonomics basically means the natural laws of work

Topics of Ergonomics:
Anatomical factors in design of drivers seat
Layout of instrument dials and display panels for accurate perception
by the operators
Design of hand levers & hand wheels

Energy expenditure in hand & foot operations

Lighting, noise & climatic conditions in machine environment

Machine is considered as an entity in machine design

In ergonomics, man-machine joint system is considered,
which forms a closed loop
Man-machine Joint System:

M
A
N

Informatio
n
Reception

Informatio
n Display

Corrective
Action

Machine
Control

M
a
c
h

Classification of Visual Display Instruments:

1. Displays giving quantitative

measurements

(e.g:

voltameter etc)
2. Displays giving state of affairs (e.g: Red Lamp Indicator)

Speedometer,

3. Displays indicating predetermined settings (e.g: A lever which can be

set at different speeds)
Moving scale/dial-type instruments are used
measurements
Lever-type indicators are used for setting purposes

for

quantitative

Basic objective of Ergonomics is to

o Minimize fatigue for operator
o Reduce operational difficulties present in man-machine joint
system
o Decrease the resulting physical & mental stresses

Ergonomic Consideration in design of Display:

The scale on the dial indicator should be divided in suitable numerical

progression like 0-10-20-30, and not 0-5-30-55

The number of subdivisions betweens numbered divisions should be
minimum
The size of letters or numbers on the indicator should be as follows-

H eight of letternumber

Reading Distance
200

Vertical figures should be used for stationary dials while radially

oriented figures are suitable for rotating dials
The pointer should have a knife-edge with a mirror in the dial to
minimize parallex error

Controls used to operate the machines:

o Lever
o Crank
o Handwheel
o Knob
o Switch
o Push Button
o Pedal
Most of the controls are hand operated
In case of requirement of large force, levers and hand wheels are used
In case of requirement of lighter force,push button and knobs are preferred

Ergonomic Consideration in Design of Control:

 Controls should be easily accessible and logically positioned

Control operation should involve minimum motion and avoid
awkward movements
The shape of the control component, which comes in contact with
hands, should be in conformity with the anatomy of human hands.
Proper colors produce psychological effects. The controls should be
painted in red color in grey background of machine tools to call for
attention.

Standardization:
Obligatory norms, to which various characteristics of a product should
conform, is known as standardization.
The characters include

Materials
Dimensions
Quality of product
Method of testing
Method of Marking, packing & storing of the product

Standards followed:
Standard for materials, their chemical compositions, mechanical
property and heat treatment
Shapes and dimensions of commonly used machine elements(e.g;
bolt ,screw ,nuts,rivets etc)
Standards for fits, tolerances and surface finish

Standards for testing of products, such as pressure vessels, boilers,

overhead travelling cranes, wire ropes etc where safety to operator
is involved
Standard for engineering drawing of components

Standards used:
1. International Standard (ISO)
2. National Standard:
IS(INDIA)
DIN(GERMAN)

 AISI/SAE(USA)
BS(UK)
3. Company Standard

Objective of standardization:
To make mass production of components easier
Interchangability of components
In design, the aim is to use as many standard components as
possible for a given mechanism
The individual components of an interchangeable assembly
can be manufactured in separate specialized plant which
reduces labor requirements and manufacturing costs.