WHAT IS ERGONOMICS? What exactly does ergonomics mean? And what features should a product have to be called ergonomic?

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Gloria Malone
9 years ago
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1 WHAT IS ERGONOMICS? Often, when we decide to buy a chair, a sofa or even a car, we come across the term ergonomic seating. It means that the particular product has been designed with the body s need for proper posture in mind. In the sense that in addition to fitting comfortably, when the sitting for a long time, especially in a car, the body does not get overtired. If it is important for seating, let s think about how ergonomics may be relevant in equipment at work and therefore in a professional espresso machine. What exactly does ergonomics mean? And what features should a product have to be called ergonomic? Ergonomics is a relatively young scientific discipline. It has been studied since the mid-nineteenth century, but in a systematic way it only became part of modern industry from the mid-twentieth century. It deals with the problems related to people s work. Ergonomics adds, develops and integrates research and solutions from various disciplines including general medicine, occupational medicine, physiology, psychology, sociology, physics and technology. It tends to introduce optimal adaptations to the man-machine-working environment to cater for psycho-physiological human capabilities and limitations. Ergonomics has gained ever greater importance in parallel with the development of technology in all fields of human activity. This is because technologies tend to improve the performance of the objects (machines, tools, etc.), so the satisfaction of people using these products will be greater when they are simple to use, but are also easy in terms of manual, motor and visual effort.

2 The quality of the relationship between the user and the tool is determined, therefore, by the level of ergonomics. The most important requirement is safety, followed by adaptability, usability, comfort, pleasantness, easiness to understand, and so on. To assess the quality of the relationship between a person and the technology, ergonomists consider the work (activity) to be carried out and the demands of the user, the tool (size, shape, layout), and information on its use. An object that is not simple to use or not safe will be a difficult object, which implies great psycho-physical stress: it will thus be only a little ergonomic, if at all. What is the purpose of ergonomics? Feeling good. Starting with solutions to problems of safety, health, comfort and efficiency. From an analysis of these problems the ergonomic study aims to eliminate the root cause of poor or inadequate quality in the relationship between users, objects and tasks. Ergonomics is a discipline not to be discounted, indeed, it plays an important role particularly during the design of a new product. When can a product be considered ergonomic? An ergonomic product should be user-centered, with friendly interaction, safe, easy and satisfying to use. The ergonomic quality, in fact, is a feature that refers to the use of the object in a given environment. Certification, as with the Aurelia espresso machine, attests to the safety and usability of the product.

3 Ergonomics in coffee machines. In designing a coffee machine, both from a technological and an aesthetic point of view, the aim of the ergonomic study is to let the barista work safely and healthily. Visual field In their daily work baristas are constantly looking at their hands. The physiological position of the gaze is 20 down from the horizontal plane. Therefore the relationship between the field of view of the machine is best when all the moving parts, buttons and display are in a position that suits the direction the barista is looking. The intelligent keypad The colour study of the keypad is ergonomically correct when it combines design and technical functions. Illuminated keys with adjustable brightness, for example, help baristas to work in dimly lit areas and guide them to the correct selection of the function they need. Filter holder Continually using the filter is one of the most tiring actions for the barista. For this an ergonomic machine must have a filter holder that clamps softly. This means that to engage or remove the filter holder from the brewing unit does not require any force. The holder must also have a proper angle for a more natural hand position when using the filter. Furthermore, the distance between one dispensing unit and another must leave enough space for better and more work. Ergonomic studies by Nuova Simonelli together with the European Institute of Psychology and Ergonomics Poliarte of Ancona, showed the minimum distance between groups is 23 cm

5 Taps for steam regulation Steam valves are always in the upper part of the machine and the barista must lift their arm to get the optimum position. This involves work that can made easier by replacing classic knobs that need to be turned, with lever valves. In particular a d o u b l e m o v e m e n t g i v e s t h e b e s t performance from an ergonomic point of view. When barista pushes the lever, he can adjust the amount of steam in proportion to the force of the gesture, while pulling the lever he gives the maximum steam power. Between opening and closing the valve, the arm is at rest. Steam wand The steam wands are relevant ergonomically for aspects of temperature, mobility and cleaning. A particularly ergonomic solution is the cool touch wand, with a thermally insulated steam tube that eliminates the risk of burns. Furthermore there is a particular form of the lance where the fixing system means the lance can be moved in all directions and the length of the straight part at the end of the lance means it can be used with large containers. The greater the mobility of the lance, the easier the machine is to use.

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