Title
Comfort predictors for different kinds of hand tools: Differences and similarities
Author
Kuijt-Evers, L.F.M.
Vink, P.
de Looze, M.P.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven
Publication year
2007
Abstract
This study investigates whether the same factors underlie comfort in using different kinds of hand tools (screwdrivers, paintbrushes and handsaws). The underlying factors of the hand tools are identified using principal components analysis. The relationships between comfort descriptors (i.e. statements in end-users' own words that are related to comfort) and comfort factors (i.e. groups of comfort descriptors) with comfort experience are calculated. It is concluded that the same factors (functionality, physical interaction adverse effects on skin and in soft tissues) underlie comfort in different kinds of hand tools, however their relative importance differed. Functionality and physical interaction are the most important factors of comfort in using screwdrivers and paintbrushes (beta 0.73 and 0.67, respectively) and functionality was the most important factor in using handsaws (beta 0.72). Moreover, the most important comfort descriptors differ between different kinds of hand tools. 'Has a nice feeling handle' (beta 0.27), 'fits the hand' (beta 0.43) and 'offers a high task performance' (beta 0.43) are the most important comfort descriptors in using screwdrivers, paintbrushes and handsaws, respectively. Moreover, similarities are seen: 'Fits the hand' is associated with comfort in all studied hand tools. The results are applied in a flow chart, which designers can use to address the appropriate comfort descriptors in the hand tool design process. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Subject
Ergonomics
Arbeidsproductiviteit
Comfort
Design
Evaluation
Hand tools
Machine design
Principal component analysis
Saws
Skin
Tissue
Comfort descriptors
Screwdrivers
Soft tissues
Hand tools
Adult
Female
Human
Industry
Male
Materials
Predictor variable
Principal component analysis
Skin manifestation
Soft tissue disease
Task performance
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:3889a50f-50df-4b2a-bcd7-be82605ca06e
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2006.09.019
TNO identifier
239805
ISSN
0169-8141
Source
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 37 (1), 73-84
Document type
article