Manual Transportation Research Articles

Robotic Assembly – Mobile Platform for Construction Field

"Construction sites often involve the manual transportation of heavy objects, posing risks to workers' safety and efficiency. In this paper, it was proposed a design, development, and evaluation of a service robot specifically created for carrying heavy objects in the construction field. The robot is equipped with robust locomotion capabilities, intelligent perception systems, and efficient control mechanisms to navigate through complex environments and handle various types of loads. It was presented the technical design of the robot, including its hardware components, sensing modalities, and software architecture. Furthermore, it was discussed the experimental validation of the robot's performance in real-world construction scenarios, highlighting its effectiveness in improving productivity, reducing labor costs, and enhancing workplace safety. Through this research, the aim is to demonstrate the potential of service robots as valuable assets in the construction industry, paving the way for future advancements in robotic assistance technologies. Keywords: human-robot collaboration, manipulation, autonomous systems, object transportation, mechanics."

Performance Test of Artificial Defoliating Broccoli Conveyor Line and Analysis of Defoliating Broccoli Inflorescences

There is a close relationship between stem and leaf biological characteristics of mature broccoli plants and defoliation technology. Morphological parameters such as the spread degree and diameter of cauliflower stem and leaf and the connection performance of cauliflower stem and leaf were studied. These experiments are helpful to the research of defoliation devices and methods for large-scale manual transportation lines. In this paper, according to the damage forms that may be suffered in the separation process of mature broccoli stems and leaves, “sunny” broccoli varieties were selected. Firstly, the mechanical properties of mature broccoli stems were obtained through different loading methods such as stretching, compression, shearing and bending. Secondly, the stress relaxation characteristics of broccoli were analyzed by static compression of broccoli flower balls. Finally, the separation method of broccoli stems and leaves was simulated by ANSYS. The simulation results showed that shear fracture was more suitable for stem and leaf separation of broccoli than tensile fracture. Then, aiming at the separation of stems and leaves of broccoli, an artificial broccoli assembly line was proposed to ensure the efficiency of leaf removal through man–machine cooperation. The dynamic characteristics of the belt of broccoli leaf removal line were studied to ensure the efficient and stable operation of the conveyor system of broccoli artificial leaf removal line.

Analysis of Work Posture and Risk of Musculoskeletal Complaints of Loading-Unloading Workers Using the REBA Method at PT. XYZ

PT XYZ is an airport manager in Indonesia engaged in the business of development, trade and services, and genuine estate. In the manual transportation of goods, extreme positions are still carried out. So that complaints of pain appear in several parts of the body, such as the neck, back, upper arms, and legs. The purpose of this study was to determine musculoskeletal complaints and analyze the work posture of workers. Risk assessment using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method because it can provide a more detailed evaluation of the level of risk of work posture as a whole. Based on the results of risk assessment research using the REBA method, workers in the Loading-Unloading Apron Area squatting position get a work posture risk value of 9, and the Apron Area standing position gets a work posture risk value of 8, where the value includes action level 4. For workers in the Loading-Unloading Makeup Area, the bending position gets a work posture risk value of 11, where the value consists of action level 4. Suggestions for improvement that can be proposed are making changes to the position of work postures and designing assistive devices.

Comparison of the speed and quality of innovative and traditional pneumatic tube system transport outside of an emergency laboratory

BackgroundEnsuring the rapidity and accuracy of emergency laboratory test results is especially important to save the lives of patients with acute and critical conditions. To better meet the needs of clinicians and patients, detection efficiency can be improved by reducing extra-laboratory sample turnaround times (TATs) through the use of innovative pneumatic tube system (PTS) transport for sample transport. However, concerns remain regarding the potential compromise of sample quality during PTS transit relative to that occurring with manual transportation. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of an innovative PTS (Tempus600 PTS) relative to a traditional PTS in terms of sample transit time, sample quality, and the concordance of analytical results with those obtained from manually transported samples. MethodsIn total, 30 healthy volunteers aged >18 years were recruited for this study, conducted for five consecutive days. Venous blood samples were collected from six volunteers per day at fixed timepoints. From each volunteer, nine blood samples were collected into tubes with tripotassium ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid anticoagulant, tubes with 3.2 % sodium citrate, and serum tubes with separation gel (n = 3 each) and subjected to all tests conducted in the emergency laboratory in our hospital. 270 blood samples from 30 healthy volunteers were transported and analyzed, yielding 6300 test results. The blood samples were divided randomly into three groups (each containing one tube of each type) and transported to the emergency laboratory manually and with Tempus600 PTS and conventional Swisslog PTS, respectively. The extra-laboratory TATs, sample quality, and test results of the transported blood samples were compared. ResultsThe sample quality and test results did not differ according to the delivery method. The TAT was much shorter with the Tempus600 than with the other two transport modes (58.40 ± 1.52 s vs. 1711.20 ± 77.56 s for manual delivery and 146.60 ± 1.82 s for the Swisslog PTS; P = 0.002). ConclusionBlood sample transport with the Tempus600 PTS significantly reduced the extra-laboratory TAT without compromising sample quality or test result accuracy, thereby improving the efficiency of sample analysis and the services provided to clinicians and patients.

Current Methods and Challenges of Managing Clinical Solid Waste at Juba Teaching Hospital, South Sudan

The amount of clinical solid waste generated at Juba Teaching Hospital has been increasing as a result of the increasing population of Juba city. Despite the increase in the amounts of clinical solid waste, few scientific studies were conducted and the studies focused only on municipal solid waste management and have not explored clinical solid waste management in Juba City. A survey study aimed to explore the current methods and challenges of clinical solid waste management (CSWM) at Juba Teaching Hospital was conducted. The data was obtained through questionnaires, observation and oral interview. Word-excel-2013 and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) IBM – 2021 version were used to process the data. The results revealed inappropriate methods of clinical solid waste management practices such as irregular collection, mixing different types of solid wastes together, use of water bottles instead of safety boxes for segregation of sharps, manual transportation of solid wastes, unprotected storage site, irregular incineration, open burning and random dumping. Reasons such as insufficient equipment, negligence of hospital administrators and few numbers of waste collectors was attributed to the inappropriate management of clinical solid waste in the hospital. The study recommended adoption of recycling strategies, employment of more waste handlers, commensurate remuneration and motivation, provision of enough equipment, creation of staff awareness and capacity development on health implications of poor clinical solid waste management.

Load-Bot- Automatic System for Goods Loading and Unloading

Abstract: The transportation of goods from one point to multiple other points can be carried out manually or automatically using load-bot. In the manual method, human labour is required to load and unload the goods, as well as operate the vehicle to transport them. In contrast, the automatic method involves the use of robotic or autonomous systems to handle the loading and unloading of goods and to drive the vehicle to the desired destinations. Both manual and automatic load-carrying vehicles have their advantages and disadvantages. Manual transportation may be more cost-effective in some cases, particularly for smallscale operations, while automatic transportation offers greater efficiency and speed, particularly for larger operations or those involving heavy loads. Additionally, automatic transportation reduces the need for human labour, potentially improving safety and reducing labour costs. The choice between manual and automatic load-carrying vehicles will depend on factors such as the size of the operation, the nature of the goods being transported, the available resources, and the desired level of efficiency and automation.

Application Research of Factor Constraint Algorithm in E-Commerce Logistics Route Optimization

In modern society, e-commerce logistics services are replacing traditional manual transportation methods. However, fresh transportation challenges have emerged. This study proposes applying the factor constraint algorithm to the e-commerce logistics path transportation problem. The multi-objective constraints and optimization of node tasks, vehicle full load, route closure, and other issues in the process of logistics transportation are firstly carried out. The final target is the shortest path of logistics deliver. Then the genetic algorithm, particle swarm algorithm, and ant colony algorithm are integrated to obtain the HMOAC algorithm, and the logistics path transportation model is constructed. The research findings indicate that the HMOAC algorithm shows a high level of fit, with a 95% match compared to the ant colony algorithm. An example analysis of the algorithm can effectively optimize the target path and achieve the least expensive transportation cost.

ANALISIS PENGUKURAN POSTUR KERJA PADA AKTIVITAS MANUAL MATERIAL HANDLING DI PT JMS BATAM

This study aims to analyze the risk level of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) in workers who carry out Manual Material Handling (MMH) activities at PT JMS Batam. MMH is a manual transportation and material transfer activity using human labor. This study was conducted because MMH activities carried out repetitively often cause health complaints, especially in the skeletal muscles. The primary data collection method is carried out through observation, direct interviews with employees, documentation using mobile phone cameras, and the distribution of Nordic Body Map (NBM) questionnaires to identify complaints on workers' body parts. The Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method is used to assess the posture of workers during MMH activities. The results showed that Nordic Body Map analysis showed that all stevedoring workers had the potential to experience musculoskeletal disorder complaints, especially on the left shoulder, right shoulder, back, waist, and buttocks. Workers with scores above 70 are at high risk and need immediate improvement. Workers scoring 55-70 are at moderate risk and require consideration of future improvements. Analysis using the REBA method showed that material transfer has a high risk of trunk and upper arm posture, increasing the risk of injury and health problems.

Research on the calculation method of manual haul distance for transmission line engineering considering equivalent slope

Due to the long path and the point-like distribution of tower positions in the transmission line project, most of the material transportation in the construction needs to be transported by manpower, and the manpower transport involves the reasonable design and calculation of the manpower distance, while the manpower distance involves the follow-up Construction safety, construction cost and construction efficiency. Therefore, when carrying out construction design and budget estimation, it is often necessary to count the average manpower distance of material transportation, especially for hills, mountains and other terrains. However, most of the existing manpower distances are set based on subjective experience, which leads to manual labor distances. The error is large, resulting in chaotic construction management, large differences in construction costs, inability to guarantee construction safety, and low construction efficiency. Based on this, in this paper, the mountain is equivalent to a cone, and the mathematical model of the equidistant cone helix is used for modeling, and the arc length calculation formula is used to calculate the distance of manual climbing, which is used as the artificial distance of the tower. The research results of this paper realize the objective calculation of manual transportation distance, greatly reduce the data error, reduce the construction cost difference, and improve the construction safety and efficiency.

A Comparative Study of PTS and Manual Transportation for Platelet Count and Aggregation Test

The transportation effect of the Pneumatic Tube System (PTS) on platelet activity remains controversial. This study aimed to analyze the effect of PTS in the platelet aggregation test in Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta. This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Clinical Pathology Laboratory of Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSUPNCM) from March to April 2021. There were 50 subjects involved in this study, each of whom 6 sodium citrate blood tubes were extracted. Three tubes were sent through PTS while the rest were transported manually. All tubes were then tested for platelet count and platelet aggregation using ADP agonists of 1 uM, 5 uM, and 10 uM. There was a lower platelet count (p=0.046) and platelet aggregation in ADP 1 uM (p=0.037), ADP 5 uM (p <0.001), and ADP 10 uM (p <0.001) at PTS-transported samples. Eleven samples were interpreted distinctively as low platelet aggregation in PTS transportation became normal in manual delivery. Cohen’s Kappa value was 0.51 (p <0.001). A decreasing platelet count and platelet aggregation in PTS samples indicated that acceleration and deceleration during transportation could lead to platelet activation, thus resulting in a lower result after being added to an agonist. Cohen's Kappa test showed that manual transportation could not be replaced with PTS for the platelet aggregation test. Platelet count and platelet aggregation were found to be lower in PTS-transported samples. It was suggested to centralize specimen taking for platelet aggregation tests, thus manual transportation can be conducted more efficiently.

APPLICATION OF REBA AND KARAKURI KAIZEN TECHNIQUES TO REDUCE ERGONOMIC RISK LEVELS IN A WORKPLACE

Repetitive works and the works done with inappropriate body postures cause musculoskeletal disorders and workforce losses. Design, technology, and humans must come together in ergonomic conditions. In this study, the ergonomic risk levels that employees in automotive production lines being exposed to were determined by the rapid entire body assessment (REBA) method and by considering anthropometric measurements and ergonomic body postures at a line with high risk level, and a shelf system was designed in accordance with the Karakuri working principle. Through the computer-aided design, the system operation was simulated and solutions for ergonomic risks could be provided before the production. The ergonomic risk level, which was “high” in the current situation, could be reduced with the newly designed mechanism, and an ergonomic workspace could be provided for employees. In the new situation, the ergonomic risk level is “low.” In addition to ergonomic improvements, as the manual transportation works of the employee were eliminated, the cycle time of the line, which was 120 s in the first state, was reduced to 100 s after the use of the Karakuri mechanism and the efficiency of the line increases by 17%.

Dynamics Simulation and Field Test Verification of Multi-Functional Beekeeping Loading Box Based on the Tracked Vehicle

The Korean beekeeping industry is continuously declining owing to the aging worker population and a lack of automation. To solve the problem of manual transportation and low automation of transportation tools in Korean apiculture, a multifunctional beekeeping transport loading box was developed by modifying a tracked vehicle developed in previous studies. To ensure the safety of the modified beekeeping vehicle in an apiary, a dynamic analysis of the vehicle in virtual simulation conditions and a field test inside an actual apiary were conducted. Firstly, the TRACK_LM module in multibody dynamics software RecurDyn was used to model the vehicle. Then, the model was analyzed in two use cases (bee frame loading and beehive loading), three geological conditions (clayey soil, dry sand, and upland sandy loam), and two types of terrain (s-turn and 8° slope). Meanwhile, tests under similar conditions were conducted in an actual apiary. The simulation results indicated that the modified beekeeping vehicle operated stably in the simulated agricultural apiary ground (clayey soil and upland sandy loam). The maximum pitch angles in the clayey soil and upland sandy loam conditions were 11.77° and 12.74°, respectively. However, the vehicle cannot operate under dry sand conditions on a slope because it exceeded the calculated maximum angle (34°) during operation. The maximum pitch angle of only 8.8° in the apiary transport experiment proved that the modified beekeeping vehicle could be driven safely in actual apiaries. Moreover, a comparison of the field test results with the simulation results revealed that the field test further verifies the reference value and correctness of the simulation results.

Influence of retempering on properties of concrete made with manufactured sand and industrial waste

The construction industry is currently dealing with a number of major issues. These include of shortage of river sand and large amount of energy required for manufacturing of cement produces free CO2 in air, accordingly use of manufactured sand and industrial waste in concrete increases. In construction of hilly topography long carrying of concrete is required, In outside location providing of concrete from inner mixing place, in construction of road, in lengthy tunneling work, manual transportation of concrete by labor, directly affect the flow property and concrete get stiff at the time of casting on real site work and in several conditions concrete get rejected by engineers. The paper discusses effects of replacing cement with 20% of industrial waste silica fumes and partially replacing natural sand with manufactured sand in the context of properties of retempered concrete like flow, water absorption, sorptivity, tensile, compressive, flexural, shear, impact strengths and chloride permeability. The work demonstrates that the flow property inversely proposition with retempering time. Water absorption, sorptivity and chloride permeability for retempered concrete made by 20% substitute of cement by silica fume with additional 5% cement and water are lesser up to 60 min of retempering time. Compression, tension and flexural, shear, impact strengths for retempered concrete made by 20% substitute of cement by industrial waste silica fume with additional 5% cement and water are increased up to 60 min of retempering time, having strong microstructure than in the reference concrete. The prospect of substituting manufactured sand for natural sand and industrial by-products silica fume for cement has significant technical, economic, and environmental benefits, all of which are critical in today's construction climate also Instead of squandering bulk concrete, retempering using industrial waste and manufactured sand is advised.

Understanding NWFPs Utilization, Marketing and Transportation in AJK, Pakistan

The study assessed the utilization, marketing and transportation of Non WoodForest Products (NWFPs) in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK)with the view to improving ivelihoods of local inhabitants. Data collection were made in AJK districts of Neelam and Bagh. The respondents that were sampled for the study comprise of local ihabitants involved in collection of NWFPs. A total of 200 respondents were interviwed using simple random sampling technique. The results revelaed most of the farmers were literate having very small land holdings with farming as their prime profession. The main reason for NWFPs collection and selling is to buy food and cater for health needs of the family. Most of the NWFPs are sold directly to local traders at spot and fellow collector/trader remained most worthy source of information in NWFP collection and selling. Regarding mode of transportation manual transportation (on foot) is being used due to low quantityof NWFP collection at most of the times. There is now the need of time that the people of this area involved with NTFPs should be trained. Trainings on collection, processing and packaging of NTFPs must be carried out. Therefore the local communities would be able to add value to their products and are able to fetch high premiums to support their livelihoods.

Use of clinical data and acceleration profiles to validate pneumatic transportation systems.

Background Modern pneumatic transportation systems (PTSs) are widely used in hospitals for rapid blood sample transportation. The use of PTS may affect sample integrity. Impact on sample integrity in relation to hemolysis and platelet assays was investigated and also, we wish to outline a process-based and outcome-based validation model for this preanalytical component. Methods The effect of PTS was evaluated by drawing duplicate blood samples from healthy volunteers, one sent by PTS and the other transported manually to the core laboratory. Markers of hemolysis (potassium, lactate dehydrogenase [LD] and hemolysis index [HI]) and platelet function and activation were assessed. Historic laboratory test results of hemolysis markers measured before and after implementation of PTS were compared. Furthermore, acceleration profiles during PTS and manual transportation were obtained from a mini g logger in a sample tube. Results Hand-carried samples experienced a maximum peak acceleration of 5 g, while peaks at almost 15 g were observed for PTS. No differences were detected in results of potassium, LD, platelet function and activation between PTS and manual transport. Using past laboratory data, differences in potassium and LD significantly differed before and after PTS installation for all three lines evaluated. However, these estimated differences were not clinically significant. Conclusions In this study, we found no evidence of PTS-induced hemolysis or impact on platelet function or activation assays. Further, we did not find any clinically significant changes indicating an acceleration-dependent impact on blood sample quality. Quality assurance of PTS can be performed by surveilling outcome markers such as HI, potassium and LD.

Test of manoeuvring haulage unit with battery drive conducted within operational trials in the conditions of the mine working

Suspended manoeuvring haulage units are commonly used for a realization of manoeuvring operations in mine workings. Their application minimizes a necessity of performing manual transportation operations and improves work safety of miners. The PCA-1 battery driven haulage unit, developed at the KOMAG Institute, can be an example of such a haulage unit. Due to lack of experience in using battery-driven equipment of this type in the mine workings, it was indispensable to conduct a series of test, among others, in in-situ conditions. The results of these tests and some observations, made during them, are presented in the article.

The comparison of blood gas analysis (BGA) parameters in samples transported by the pneumatic tube system and manual transport at Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia

Background: Pneumatic Tube System (PTS) can reduce the time needed to transport laboratory samples, thus resulting in faster turn-around time. Blood gas analysis (BGA) is a critical laboratory examination, and it would benefit from sending the sample using PTS. Some studies showed the effect of PTS on BGA’s parameters, so the laboratory should validate the usage of PTS before delivering the samples. This study aims to determine the comparison of BGA parameters in Sample Transported by Pneumatic Tube System and Manual Transport at Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia.Method: A cross sectional analytic study was conducted among 31 blood patients and divided into two syringes. One syringe was delivered by PTS as well as the other was transported by courier. The delivery distance was 250 meters for both transportations. Both samples then were examined by qualified laboratory analyst. The pH, pCO2, and pO2 were compared. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17 for windows.Result: The result of pH, pO2 and pCO2 in PTS samples was not significantly different compared to manual transportation (p=0,799; p=0,955 and p=0,856 respectively). Bland-Altman plot was found a good agreement between both types of transportation method.Conclusion: The result of this study showed no significant difference in BGA’s parameters sent by PTS or manual transportation. PTS can be used to replace manual transportation in delivering blood gas samples to the central laboratory.

The “man-technology-environment” system in the management of transport service of construction industry

In all countries, transport is considered as the basis for ensuring economic, social, military, environmental and other types of national security. It is provided more than 200 billion dollars in the US, about 200 billion dollars in Japan, more than 100 billion euros in Germany on the development of transport system. In Russia, for these purposes, is spent 14-15 times less. The purpose of environmental security's transportation ensuring - protection of life and health of people, the environment, cargo and vehicles, the sustainability of transport communications and transport infrastructure in normal conditions, in emergency situations and in wartime. Man, in the process of knowing the surrounding material world, forms “speculative” (ideal) ideas about how this world is arranged and how it functions. The basis of such knowledge is intuitive or conscious modeling. The initial level of visual modeling is the multipoint representation of the object of study, so: any phenomenon, object, process, object, definition, and other elements of the conceptual layer of consciousness are put in correspondence with the “point”. The further procedure of visual modeling involves the identification of all the points involved and the interrelations between them (the “logician”), this procedure will provide insight into infographic models of anthropotechnology management in the conditions of modern economic fundamentals and trends in the development of a market economy for the application of anthropotechnical management infographic models. Certification of manual labor's mechanization and transportation of construction cargo and structures (СMIT) - is one of the important construction service packages.

Pneumatic transport system for associative learning in Drosophila melanogaster

A widely used associative learning technique for biological studies involves introducing Drosophila larvae to two different odorants and associating one of the odorants with a stimulus. The experimental method requires transferring the larvae back and forth between two odor chambers. Each chamber contains a different odorant and one of the chambers contains an accompanying stimulus. By introducing the larvae to the two different odorants several times, the larvae are trained to commit the odorant associated with the stimulus to memory. We created a mechatronic system for transporting Drosophila larvae back and forth between two agar trays to reduce manual labor and enable a scalable platform for associative learning and related studies. Air was chosen as the means of transporting the larvae and a chamber was constructed for housing the two agar trays. Control electronics were implemented for creating a sweeping blowing motion to transport the larvae in a gentle manner. Computer aided design (CAD) software was employed in conjunction with a 3D printer to build nozzles which help to direct airflow. Flow analysis software was utilized to model computational fluid dynamic simulations for optimizing air nozzles. In this study, a pneumatic transport system was developed and tested. The experimental results showed a 90% success rate for the transportation of larval Drosophila across the chamber and an overall decrease in transportation time by 4.8 times compared to manual transportation.

Manual Loading Distribution During Carrying Behaviors: Implications for the Evolution of the Hominin Hand

The human hand is unparalleled amongst primates in its ability to manipulate objects forcefully and dexterously. Previous research has predominantly sought to explain the evolution of these capabilities through an adaptive relationship between more modern human-like anatomical features in the upper limb and increased stone tool production and use proficiency. To date, however, we know little about the influence that other manipulatively demanding behaviors may have had upon the evolution of the human hand. The present study addresses one aspect of this deficiency by examining the recruitment of the distal phalanges during a range of manual transportation (i.e., carrying) events related to hominin behavioral repertoires during the Plio-Pleistocene. Specifically, forces on the volar pad of each digit are recorded during the transportation of stones and wooden branches that vary in weight and size. Results indicate that in most instances, the index and middle fingers are recruited to a significantly greater extent than the other three digits during carrying events. Relative force differences between digits were, however, dependent upon the size and weight of the object transported. Carrying behaviors therefore appear unlikely to have contributed to the evolution of the robust thumb anatomy observed in the human hand. Rather, results suggest that the manual transportation of objects may plausibly have influenced the evolution of the human gripping capabilities and the 3rd metacarpal styloid process.