Design Of Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Workstation For Safe Posture And Weld Quality

Nurul Farahizzati, Zakaria (2015) Design Of Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Workstation For Safe Posture And Weld Quality. Project Report. UTeM, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

Text (24 pages) Design Of Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Workstation For Safe Posture And Weld Quality 24 Pages.pdf - Submitted Version Download (719kB)

Abstract

In manufacturing industry, shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process is a precise job that requires the welders to maintain their postures in a long period of time to ensure the welding product in a good quality. However, the welders are exposed to ergonomics risk factors such as prolonged standing, heat stress, and repetitive task during performing the SMAW process. In acknowledging the importance of these issues, the aim of this study is to apply ergonomics improvement on SMAW workstation. The ergonomics factors presented at SMAW workstation that influenced the welder’s posture and weld quality were determined through observation and questionnaire survey among 40 staffs and students in UTeM. The effects of ergonomics factors on the welder’s posture and weld quality were analysed by RULA analysis and Design of Experiment (DoE). The welders’ requirements were transferred into technical requirements using House of Quality (HOQ). The Pugh method was used to select the new design of SMAW workstation. Based on the RULA analysis, the existing and the new design of SMAW workstation provide safe working posture. While DoE optimised the new design of SMAW workstation that can improve the weld quality. This study concluded that application of ergonomics design features in the SMAW workstation provides safe working posture to the welders and enhance the weld quality. This study suggests further investigation on effects of lighting in SMAW workstation to improve welder’s visibility and weld quality.

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