Development of the RISE Vibration Monitor: RVM
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Examensarbete för masterexamen
Modellbyggare
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Sammanfattning
Vibrations are responsible for the largest single part of workplace related injuries in Sweden.
There is an ISO-standard which is used to estimate how harmful vibrations are and how long
one can be exposed without risking damage, however it does not take into account ultra high
frequency vibrations, those above 1250 Hz. Recent studies indicate that these vibrations might
be more harmful than previously thought and that the current standard might not be sufficient to
protect against all kinds of vibration-induced injuries. To remedy this problem the current ISO
standard will be updated to better reflect the reality of what vibrations are harmful. However
there is a lack of data to base the updated standard on.
To gather the necessary data the client, Research Institutes of Sweden - RISE, has created a
prototype instrument used to measure the ultra high frequency vibrations which contemporary
instruments cannot measure accurately. The prototype includes electronics, a 3D-printed
case, and a MATLAB interface. The aim of this project was to improve the usability and user
experience of interacting with this instrument. The electronic components were to remain as
they were, but the other parts could be changed freely. Additionally some accessories were to
be explored, a carrying bag and a remote trigger for the instrument. The deliverables should be
of such a fidelity that they can be sent to a contract manufacturer with little to no work from the
client.
The project was carried out in an iterative manner but began with investigations of the current
state of the art of contemporary measurement instruments. This was followed by user research
to understand the needs and wants of the users. Then followed concept ideation where different
solutions to the needs and wants were investigated. The biggest part of the project was concept
creation and refinement where solutions and ideas from the ideation were put together into a
viable product which was then evaluated.
The outcome of the project is a concept called The Rise Vibration Monitor - RVM consisting of
a new front-end built in MATLAB which can be connected to the current MATLAB back-end
as well as a manufacturing ready design concept for the instrument body and a carrying bag.
Some design has also been done to create a remote trigger but at a lower fidelity which will
require more work before it can be sent to manufacturing.
These designs are meant to improve usability of the instrument which will hopefully in turn
increase the quality of the measurements being created in the field. There is more work that can
be done to improve the designs, especially on the hardware side. If the batch size were to be
increased it would be worth looking at ways of miniaturizing the electronics which would allow
for making the dimensions of the whole instrument smaller.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
User experience, vibrations, user research, UX/UI, work related injuries.