A CUBE MODEL FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF WORK WITH HAND TOOLS AND THE FORMULATION OF FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

In an interdisciplinary research project, a model, visualized as a cub e, was developed for the classification and analysis of work with hand tools and for communication of different ways of solving problems rel ated to manual handling. The dimensions of the cube are demands of for ce, precision and time. Each dimension is divided into three levels of low, moderate and high demands respectively. Preliminary limits are p roposed for acceptable and non-acceptable use situations and for situa tions that have to be investigated further. Using a case study of plat e shears as a starting point, various measures of improving the positi on in the cube are discussed. The hand tool, the workplace, the work o rganization as well as the user of the hand tool are included in the a nalysis.