Ergonomia 4.0: uso da manufatura aditiva no desenvolvimento de exoesqueleto para redução da ativação muscular na montagem de obturadores da indústria utomotiva

Abstract

This research proposition presents a practical application for 3D printing technologies in the automotive industry. In this sector of the industry, during the assembly operation of rubber parts that provide water sealing for the bodyshell, the operator is exposed to the risk of musculoskeletal injury in the hands region, due to the repeatability and required effort. Although there exist tools for some of these parts, many are assembled by hand. The main purpose of this research is, by utilizing 3D printing, 3D scanning and electromyography, to develop a thumb exoskeleton model prototype able to reduce the necessary effort in assembling those parts, and thus reducing the risk of occupational diseases related to musculoskeletal injury. Due to the nature of the thumb muscular group movement during the assembly operation, the main disease to be considered in this research is De Quervain Syndrome. Results show that the analyzed values were lower when using the developed exoskeleton.