The Rapid Prototyping applied to ergonomic evaluation: a comparative study between a handmade mock-up and another obtained by CNC milling machine

Abstract

Ergonomics is the science responsible for the suitability of the employee´s working conditions and its use can provide better performance, greater comfort and safety in the execution of several tasks. It is an interdisciplinary science, which has connections with Design and can contribute to the development of optimized and functional products that are not harmful to human health. Throughout the development of a product, it is necessary to develop studies and tests that can be perfomed through models, mock-ups and prototypes. These models may be produced with different methods, by handmade techniques or automated and digital processes, such as Rapid Prototyping (RP) technologies, for example. This study aimed to compare two mock-ups of vegetables peelers, which were produced in different ways - one produced with epoxy resin (“Durepoxi”), and another by a subtractive RP technology, using the CNC milling machine Roland MDX 540. For comparative purposes, the price, the production time, the quality and surface finishing, dimensional accuracy and ergonomics were considered asvariables. In the end of this study, two distinct models, with advantages and disadvantages in different aspects were obtained, and those production techniques can be combined in order to achieve a more complete and profitable product development process (PDP) as a result.