A Body-Sizing Model to determine Personalized Spring Stiffness forthe Personal Lift Assistive Device (PLAD)

The Personal Lift Assistive Device (PLAD) is an “on-body” ergonomic aid comprised of: 1) a springbox to assist workers’ back muscles; 2) padded cables to tension the springs at the shoulders and feet; and, 3) apelvic spacer to provide improved leverage. In all previous tests, the PLAD has reduced back forcerequirements by ~ 20% during lifting and static holding tasks. This proposed research project has three phases:1) develop a sizing chart for small, medium and large workers using previous data and lab tests, 2) determine itseffectiveness in a field trial at a local nylon company, and 3) create a spring stiffness chart, PLAD sizingbrochure and computer interface to be used by Peakworks Inc. This work will help the company: i) manufacturePLAD systems that are ideally suited to workers’ personal characteristics and their job demands, and ii) reachthe marketplace sooner with a simple and cost-effective marketing aid.

Faculty Supervisor:

Joan Stevenson

Student:

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

University:

Queen's University

Program:

Accelerate