Nomenclature
Chapter 7: Conclusion, achievement, recommendations and scope for future work
7.2 The key contribution of present research work
7.2.1 Development of an anthropometric database of Assamese population
Before this study, the lack of anthropometric data of the Assamese population was a significant issue for design and development of new product/technology. Hence, as a part of this research, an effort is made for the collection and documentation of anthropometric data of five communities of Assam. As per the guidelines provided by the “All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Human Engineering and Safety in Agriculture (HESA), India,” this study included 72 anthropometric dimensions. Considering the objective of this study, people from the nonfarm sector is considered for this research.
The sample included 265 male and 188 female participants in the age group of 18 to 60 years. Five different ethnic groups of the state, Boro, Garo, Hira, Karbi, and Rabha, were considered in the study. Stature is found to be highly correlated (r > 0.8; p < 0.01) with a
number of anthropometric dimensions. The variation in anthropometric data considering gender and ethnic diversity has also been examined, and significant differences are observed concerning gender and ethnicity. The most notable variation is observed in the anthropometric dimensions of Hira population when compared to the other four ethnic groups of the same gender. Factor analysis and regression modelling are also performed as part of the study. The study shows that height-related variables could be predicted mostly in factor 1. Further, the collected data are used to redesign the traditional pottery wheel and cater to artisans’ comfort with added safety.
7.2.2 Ergonomic design modification of the TPW
The TPW has some shortcomings in terms of health drudgery of users. A new design is conceptualized, designed, developed and prototyped.
Essential features of IPC:
Treadle mechanism which is used in manual sewing machine operation is skillfully adopted, thus reducing the manual effort required to rotate the TPW for moulding pottery items.
Correct sitting posture is the essential requirement for productivity and comfort. Hence, a new seating arrangement is designed with height adjustment features to make it appropriate for maximum users. It will facilitate better ergonomic in traditional pottery making, thus reducing health drudgery among artisans.
Serious attention is given for accommodating the “Designing for adjustable range”
principle (Taifa and Desai, 2017) during the design of the machine. Thus, the same device will be valid for both female and male artisans.
Considering the inadequate supply of electricity in remote villages, manually powered mechanism is incorporated.
Nut and bolt joining are preferred to facilitate easy assemble/disassemble of a significant number of components. It will facilitate easy transportation into remote villages.
The new intervention will improve the productivity of artisans as compared to that obtained by the existing pottery wheel that is being used by the artisans. The field- testing results also reveal that the use of this machine will provide more comfort as compared to the traditional tool.
7.2.2.1 Performance evaluation of IPC
To evaluate the performance details of the IPC, a number of experimental investigations were carried out. Following observations are reported from experimental investigation:
The actuating force (kg, mean ± standard deviation) is found to be 3.5 ± 0.7 kg.
Similarly, the working force was measured as 1.1±0.2 kg. During the experimental investigation, the artisans expressed that they can easily exert this amount of force without any discomfort. The actuating force and working force required to operate IPC are much less than the isometric muscular strength of the Assamese people as reported by Patel et al., 2015. Therefore, this design of the machine is considered to be comfortable for the artisans.
Male artisans' average productivity is found to be almost 1.7 times higher in the case of IPC than that of the TPW. Similarly, female artisans’ average productivity is found to be almost 1.8 times higher in the case of IPC than that of the TPW. Due to the use of IPC, the average production of small-sized items per hour for female artisans is found to be enhanced from 62.3 to 110.1 number and for male, from 98.6 to 168.4 number. The result depicts that differences in productivity in case of TPW vs. IPC is statistically significant (p < 0.01) for both male and female.
The discomfort rating score is lower in case of IPC if it is compared with the discomfort rating score of TPW. Bending and wrong sitting postures are the major issues in the traditional process. The results depict that introduction of new sitting arrangement is successful in reducing discomfort in majority of the body parts viz., neck, upper back, lower back, knees, thigh buttock. Similarly, the new arrangement of rotating the wheel by leg power instead of hand power, discomfort is reduced in body parts, viz., shoulders, elbow, hand wrists, claves.
Before the start of the work, for male, the mean value of handgrip strength is found to be 32.5 ± 2.1 kg and 28.2 ± 2.3 kg for dominant and opposite hands, respectively. After two hours of working in the TPW, the mean value of the handgrip strength is found to be 29.9 ± 2.1 kg and 25.8 ± 2.2 kg for dominant and opposite hands, respectively.
Similarly, after two hours of working in the IPC, average handgrip strength is measured as 31.0 ± 2.2 kg and 26.5 ± 2.1 kg for dominant and opposite hands, respectively. For female, the mean value of handgrip strength before working is found to be 23.1 ± 2.1 kg and 18.2 ± 2.0 kg for dominant and opposite hands, respectively. After two hours of working in the TPW, the mean value of handgrip strength is found to be 20.2 ± 2.3 kg and 14.8 ± 2.0 kg for dominant and opposite hands, respectively. Similarly, after two hours of working in the IPC, the average handgrip strength is measured as 21.9 ± 2.4 kg and 16.7± 1.8 kg for dominant and opposite hands, respectively. The results establish the fact that the design intervention is successful in reducing with time the decrease in muscular strength. The change is statistically significant (p<0.01) for both right and left hands of the female artisans. For male, the change in the right hand is statistically significant (p<0.01).
The results depict that the AWHR increased 47.2% above the resting heart rate for the TPW compared to 38.8% increase for the IPC. Similarly, the average oxygen consumption rates are 1.36 liter/minute and 0.85 liter/min for TPW and IPC, respectively. The average energy expenditure rates are found to be 28.62 kJ/minute and 17.68 kJ/minute for TPW and IPC, respectively. For female, the average working heart rates during work with TPW and IPC are found to be 102.7 beats/minute and 99.8 beats per minute with the corresponding work pulse (ΔHR) is 59.5 beats/min and 53.8 beats/minute. The results depict that the AWHR increased 40.7% above the resting heart rate for the TPW compared to 36.9% increase for the IPC. The average oxygen consumption rate is calculated as 1.17 liter/minute and 0.77 liter/min for TPW and IPC, respectively. The energy expenditure rates are found to be 24.57 kJ/minute and 16.01 kJ/minute for TPW and IPC, respectively.
7.2.3 Technology transfer of IPC
As part of the technology transfer initiative, three local fabricators are trained to empower them for manufacturing the IPC. They are enabled through training and handholding, so that IPC can be produced at the village level and delivered as per the demands. The necessary effort is given during conceptualization of the design, so that a complex manufacturing process can be avoided. Necessary finance is generated from the existing government schemes (e.g. STINER, RuTAG, etc.) for successful technology transfer.