EU Project: Grip-Force Mapping for Characterisation of Hand-held Vibration Tools "VIB-TOOL"

Vibrations of the hand-arm system can have adverse effects on health. The transmission of the vibrations is influenced by the regular forces for holding and guiding the tools. Due to the lack of measuring instruments and methods, only little is known about the interaction between the human hand and the tool handle.

The aim of the Vib-Tool project finished by the end of 2005 was to develop a measuring device (sensors, electronics, software) and a measurement procedure for recording the pressure distribution across the points of contact on the hand. Further ergonomic and medicinal studies aim to improve understanding of the impedance behaviour and of the energy absorption in the hand-arm system. Finally, the results are to be used for the ongoing effort at drafting European standards and norms. This cooperative project, supported by the EU, was a joint effort of research institutions, universities and manufacturers from Italy, France, England, Denmark and Germany. The main focus of IFA's participation lay in testing and continuing to develop the practical and industry applications.

The Final Technical Report is available:
VIBTOOL - Grip Force Mapping for Characterisation of Hand-Held Vibrating Tools

A measurement system for parallel measurement on two handles is available at the IFA.

Acknowledgent

This work has been financed (or partly financed) by the EU Commission, within the research contract VIB-TOOL (contract n. G6RD-CT-2002-00843), coordinated by Università Politecnica delle Marche and having partners National Research Council of Italy - CNR, National Research and safety Institute for Prevention of Occupational Accidents and Diseases - INRS, Novel GmbH, University of Southampton, former Hauptverband der Gewerblichen Berufsgenossenschaften e.V., Breakers A/S.