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The relationship between physical workload and quality within line-based assembly

Ivarsson, Anna and Eek, Frida LU (2016) In Ergonomics 59(7). p.23-913
Abstract

Reducing costs and improvement of product quality are considered important to ensure productivity within a company. Quality deviations during production processes and ergonomics have previously shown to be associated. This study explored the relationship between physical workload and real (found during production processes) and potential (need of extra time and assistance to complete tasks) quality deviations in a line-based assembly plant. The physical workload on and the work rotation between 52 workstations were assessed. As the outcome, real and potential quality deviations were studied during 10 weeks. Results show that workstations with higher physical workload had significantly more real deviations compared to lower workload... (More)

Reducing costs and improvement of product quality are considered important to ensure productivity within a company. Quality deviations during production processes and ergonomics have previously shown to be associated. This study explored the relationship between physical workload and real (found during production processes) and potential (need of extra time and assistance to complete tasks) quality deviations in a line-based assembly plant. The physical workload on and the work rotation between 52 workstations were assessed. As the outcome, real and potential quality deviations were studied during 10 weeks. Results show that workstations with higher physical workload had significantly more real deviations compared to lower workload stations. Static work posture had significantly more potential deviations. Rotation between high and low workload was related to fewer quality deviations compared to rotation between only high workload stations. In conclusion, physical ergonomics seems to be related to real and potential quality deviation within line-based assembly. Practitioner Summary: To ensure good productivity in manufacturing industries, it is important to reduce costs and improve product quality. This study shows that high physical workload is associated with quality deviations and need of extra time and assistance to complete tasks within line-based assembly, which can be financially expensive for a company.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Journal Article
in
Ergonomics
volume
59
issue
7
pages
11 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • pmid:27626887
  • scopus:84947255562
  • wos:000384351800005
ISSN
0014-0139
DOI
10.1080/00140139.2015.1105303
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
683bfec7-0169-4992-a284-0e6b9d867777
date added to LUP
2016-10-19 09:44:29
date last changed
2024-03-07 14:13:25
@article{683bfec7-0169-4992-a284-0e6b9d867777,
  abstract     = {{<p>Reducing costs and improvement of product quality are considered important to ensure productivity within a company. Quality deviations during production processes and ergonomics have previously shown to be associated. This study explored the relationship between physical workload and real (found during production processes) and potential (need of extra time and assistance to complete tasks) quality deviations in a line-based assembly plant. The physical workload on and the work rotation between 52 workstations were assessed. As the outcome, real and potential quality deviations were studied during 10 weeks. Results show that workstations with higher physical workload had significantly more real deviations compared to lower workload stations. Static work posture had significantly more potential deviations. Rotation between high and low workload was related to fewer quality deviations compared to rotation between only high workload stations. In conclusion, physical ergonomics seems to be related to real and potential quality deviation within line-based assembly. Practitioner Summary: To ensure good productivity in manufacturing industries, it is important to reduce costs and improve product quality. This study shows that high physical workload is associated with quality deviations and need of extra time and assistance to complete tasks within line-based assembly, which can be financially expensive for a company.</p>}},
  author       = {{Ivarsson, Anna and Eek, Frida}},
  issn         = {{0014-0139}},
  keywords     = {{Journal Article}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{7}},
  pages        = {{23--913}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Ergonomics}},
  title        = {{The relationship between physical workload and quality within line-based assembly}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2015.1105303}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/00140139.2015.1105303}},
  volume       = {{59}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}