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Product Reviews

Product Review: Collapsible Cart

Product Name:

Dem Truk – Versatile Equipment Cart

Description:

Dem Truk has developed a unique versatile equipment cart, designed to help easily load, unload and transport equipment in and out of vans/trucks.With its detachable platform design and fullycollapsible cart collapsible undercarriage frame, the Dem Truk can easily fit into restricted spaces often encountered inside fleet service vehicles.

Ergonomic Benefits and Features:              

  • The platform slides out and detaches from the undercarriage frame allowing operators to store the platform along with the product in the van/truck, thereby reducing multiple double handling and reducing extended reach postures. The same platform at a delivery location can slide back onto the frame.
  •  The platform of the cart provides 8″ of vertical adjustability to promote the operator hand working height between 38″ and 49″ above the standing surface, the optimal material handling comfort zone.
  •  Locking casters on the cart allows for stable and safe transfer.

Potential Limitations:

  • Alignment of the platform while sliding back on the frame may be challenging as it slides on and off narrow metal guide rails.
  • The collapsible undercarriage frame weighs between 29 lbs and 42 lbs

Applications:

  • Equipment Delivery and Sales
  • Healthcare
  • Hospitality
  • Vending and Service Industry

Humantech does not endorse any of the products or companies featured in the reviews. All images are property of the vendor and used for illustrative reference only.

 


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Posted by humantech on April 30th, 2013

Product Review: Ergonomic Trash Bag

Product Name: B3 Plastics LiteLift™ Ergonomic Trash Bags

Description:

The LiteLift™ trash bag was invented in an effort to reduce injury by enabling workers to carry disposable loads safely. This product differs from a traditional trash bag by having a handle on the bottom of the bag. The LiteLift™ enables workers to grasp bags more securely by using a power grip, while evenly distributing the load and keeping it close to the body.

Ergonomic Benefits and Features:

  • Enables the worker to keep the load close and centered to the body
  • Reduces forceful hand/wrist exertions while material handling
  • Reduces possible obstructions of the lower limbs while carrying the bag

Potential Limitations:

  • Handle is only at one end of the bag
  • If the bag is overloaded, the handle could tear

Applications:

  • Any industry that disposes or transports materials manually using bags

Humantech does not endorse any of the products or companies featured in the reviews. All images are property of the vendor and used for illustrative reference only.


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Posted by humantech on April 24th, 2013

Ergo Must Have: Collapsible Rolling Toolbox

by Jennie Gober, AEP

Before saying anything more on this product, I must fully disclose something.  While I feel very strongly that this product would be very useful in most any industry, I was actually doing research for my own selfish purposes.  We are in the middle of remodeling our house, and this toolbox is something that I was very excited to see!

Image courtesy of eastwood.com

Now that I’ve said that, I want to share this collapsible rolling toolbox that I came across.  I have seen a countless number of maintenance personnel who are required to take handfuls of tools to maintenance locations.  More often than not, they wind up either manually carrying the tools they need (juggling may be a more accurate word), placing them into a bag or bucket, or rolling their giant toolbox hundreds of feet around their facility.  I’ve been to one company who uses metal “milk buckets” to carry their tools in – these buckets full of tools weighed up to 40 lb!

This rolling toolbox is an excellent solution for those maintenance personnel who don’t need to bring their entire toolbox, but still need a variety of tools to perform a task.  This toolbox enables them to easily roll the box to the location, and it even elevates so that they can reach their tools while maintaining neutral postures.

If you’re looking for a way to make your maintenance person’s life a bit easier, this may be a great solution!


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Posted by humantech on April 23rd, 2013

Product Review: Pipette with ClipTip Technology

Product Name:  Thermo Scientific F1 Pipette with ClipTip Technology

Description:  Low force Pipette and Pipette Tips

Ergonomic Benefits and Features:

  • The pipettes feature new Interlock technology which is based on flexible clips positioned evenly around the top of the tip. During attachment the unique tip fitting shape opens the clips, and the clips pass over the fitting flange and return to closed position. In addition, the lock ensures the tip will not loosen, or fall off during pipetting or touch-off.
  • Each time ClipTip pipette tips are on, they are sealed.  The seal will last for as long as the tips are attached to the pipette regardless of application. Since the tips are locked with the clips they are always attached with the same force.
  • Tip ejection of the ClipTip interlocking system requires less than 50% of the force required for conical tip fitting systems. If a sufficient force level is not reached during attachment the ClipTip tips remain in the tip rack.
  • Increased precision and minimal variation between dispense volumes of different channels.
  • Handle diameter (between 1.2″ and 2.0″) comfortably fits into the palm of your hand allowing a power grip during use.

Potential Limitations

  • No sound feedback of installed tips, only visual feedback
  • The thumb extension distance seems a little too long for some users

Applications:

  • Any laboratory
  • Lab environments where multiple samples are needed
  • Chemical and Petrochemical Industry. Acid resistant lab requirements.  The tip fitting is acid resistant AISI 316 steel, which is a commonly used material in appliances where corrosion resistance is needed.

Humantech does not endorse any of the products or companies featured in the reviews. All images are property of the vendor and used for illustrative reference only.


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Posted by humantech on March 12th, 2013

Product Review: Slide-Out Cargo Tray

Product Name:

Slide-Out Cargo Tray

Description:

Slide-Out Cargo Trays extend from a truck’s bed and present the user with his or her materials, tools, and equipment.  They allow the user to safely access items and significantly reduce climbing or crawling into the vehicle, making this an ideal solution for fleet vehicle and sales services applications.

Depending on the need, the trays come in manual and motorized models, with the motorized models being preferred from an ergonomics perspective.  There are motorized Slide Out Cargo Tray1000, 1750, and 2000-pound capacity models available. Non-motorized models are useful for utility/service bodies, RVs, and vans. Each cargo tray locks in multiple positions and is easy to install. The cargo rollout drawer featured here is from Adrian Steel.

Ergonomic Benefits and Features:

  • Eliminates or reduces the need for climbing into vehicles to retrieve materials, tools, product and equipment.
  • Reduces the horizontal reach distance often associated with accessing items inside vehicles.
  • Durable design with minimal components results in prolonged good working condition and minimal maintenance requirements.
  • Trays can be installed at various widths to allow for access into vehicle and/or for interior storage shelving if necessary.

Potential Limitations:

  • Ensure push/pull force requirements to open/close the unit do not exceed recommended standing arm strength guidelines of 18 lb to 33lb (depending on the force application).
  • Often fleet vehicles are restricted by parking access, therefore consider if the operator would benefit greater from a rear or side door rollout unit.

Applications:

  • Fleet vehicles
  • Sales force
  • Delivery
  • Cargo
  • Vans, SUV’s, Pickup trucks

Humantech does not endorse any of the products or companies featured in the reviews. All images are property of the vendor and used for illustrative reference only.


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Posted by humantech on January 17th, 2013

Product Review: Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad

Product Name:  Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad

Description:  The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad has a magnetic clip that allows you to secure your iPad while viewing. It includes a small (8mm thick) keyboard to improve typing speed and posture.

Ergonomic Benefits and Features:

Let’s face it, typing on an iPad is difficult and creates awkward postures for the hands/wrists, and neck.  In addition, people often type with one hand while holding the iPad with the other increasing pinch grip force.  The benefits of an attachable keyboard are:

  • Typing with more neutral hand/wrist postures
  • Increased speed and efficiency results in decreased exposure to awkward postures
  • Easy to use the clip-and-go design which places the screen at a good viewing angle to improve neck posture

Additional benefits include:

  • Up to six months of keyboard power on a full charge
  • Keyboard also doubles as a cover for your iPad
  • Allows you to place iPad in portrait or landscape position
  • Auto wake/sleep eliminates having to turn off iPad

Potential Limitations:

  • Although the keyboard is lightweight it will add a slight increase in weight that must be carried.
  • This is not the perfect setup for typing, as the monitor is too close to the user, and it should not be promoted as the replacement for your laptop or desktop setup with an external keyboard and mouse.
  • The keyboard uses Bluetooth technology to connect with the iPad, which can result in increased battery consumption.

Applications:

  • Flexible computer workstation
  • Mobile workstations

Humantech does not endorse any of the products or companies featured in the reviews. All images are property of the vendor and used for illustrative reference only.


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Posted by humantech on October 5th, 2012

Product Review: Lift Rite® Start Assist Truck

Product Name: Lift Rite® Start Assist Truck

Description: The Lift Rite® Start Assist Truck includes a unique feature that separates itself from other non-motorized pallet trucks, a power start thatLift Rite Power Assist Truck reduces the initial force requirements to get the truck in motion. Included in the design is the Power-Start-Technology™, a spring system that stores energy when the operator manually pumps the towbar up or down and can be applied to facilitate the starting motion of the truck

Ergonomic Benefits and Features:

  • Power-Start-Technology™ reduces starting push/pull force required by operator
  • Towbar hand grip allows the operator to select the direction of application – forward/backward

Potential Limitations:

  • Consult the Liberty Mutual Tables to determine recommended initial and sustained push/pull force guidelines. The frequency and duration of the pushing/pulling tasks are important factors to consider.
  • Hand grip span and squeeze force requirements should be verified against recommended guidelines.
  • Manual pumping action to store spring-loaded energy prior to push/pull may result in repeated non-neutral hand/wrist, elbow and low back postures.

Applications:

  • Warehouse
  • Manufacturing
  • Healthcare
  • Pallet handling

Humantech does not endorse any of the products or companies featured in the reviews. All images are property of the vendor and used for illustrative reference only.


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Posted by humantech on September 18th, 2012

Product Review: Ergo Desktop Kangaroo Desk

Product Name:  Ergo Desktop Kangaroo Desk

Description:  The Kangaroo adjustable-height desk workstation supports both a monitor and keyboard so that you can sit or stand while working.

Ergonomic Benefits and Features:

  • Height-adjustable desk surface, providing vertical adjustability up to 15″ above your current desk surface, accommodating over 95% of the North American healthy, working-age adult population in the standing position
  • Large working surface – 28″ wide by 24″ deep to support the keyboard, mouse, and other materials
  • Easily switch between sitting and standing positions
  • Potential to be mounted to carts for use in mobile applications
  • Not permanently attached to desk top so it can be easily moved from workstation to workstation
  • Easy to assemble and setup

Potential Limitations

  • Monitor too high in seated position, 48″ above the standing surface when completely lowered (recommended height when completely lowered is 42”, the 5th percentile female seated eye height)
  • Monitor adjusts vertically 6.5″ independently of the work surface (recommend 13″ of adjustability to accommodate 95% of working population)
  • The desk surface does not tilt to allow neutral hand and wrist postures at all heights
  • No features that allow for easy cord management
  • The monitor support does not adjust in the horizontal direction, which many not accommodate various sight lines and/or special adaptations for users with bifocal corrective lenses

Applications:

  • Flexible computer workstation
  • Office
  • Laptop
  • Desktop
  • Mobile workstations

Humantech does not endorse any of the products or companies featured in the reviews. All images are property of the vendor and used for illustrative reference only.


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Posted by humantech on June 21st, 2012

Product Review: Travel Notebook Stand

Product Name:  Goldtouch Go! Travel Notebook Stand

Description:  The Goldtouch Go! Travel Notebook Stand is a compact travel accessory to support your laptop or tablet device. Weighing just over 1 lb., this stand adds convenience to your travel lifestyle.

Ergonomic Benefits and Features:Goldtouch Go Stand

  • Height adjustable (6 different height adjustments)
  • Raises notebook computer screen/tablet to eye level to improve neck posture
  • Comes with neoprene travel case to protect product and other items in bag.  The neoprene case can double as a mouse pad.
  • Folds flat (less than ½” thick) conveniently for travel
  • Sturdy; can accommodate notebook computers up to 17″
  • Allows airflow to notebook computer/tablet while in use
  • Inexpensive compared to similar folding notebook stands on the market

Potential Limitations

  • External keyboard and mouse highly recommended when using this product
  • Must be used on a flat surface
  • Adds weight to traveler’s bag

Applications:

  • Flexible computer workstation
  • Office
  • Travel
  • Mobile computing

Humantech does not endorse any of the products or companies featured in the reviews. All images are property of the vendor and used for illustrative reference only.


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Posted by humantech on May 11th, 2012

Product Review: Pipette Extender

Product Name:

Bel-Art Scienceware Ergopet II Memory Adjustable Pipette Controller

Description:

Bel-Art Scienceware has created a powered pipette controller, the Ergopet II Memory Pipettor.  Although a memory pipettor is commonPipette Extender for use in laboratories, this product has the ability to extend in height to allow the pipette tip to be lifted between 4″ and 12ʺ while continuing to keep the arm in a neutral posture at the controller.  In the laboratory environment, technicians often struggle to match the proper pipette controller size and container size which can lead to awkward postures.

Ergonomic Benefits and Features:

  • The head of the pipette controller rotates up to 90 degrees (left or right) and pipette angle between vertical and 15 degrees. This can help with improving the view of graduations as well as promote neutral wrist postures.
  • Both plastic and glass pipettes can be used.
  • The design promotes a comfortable power grip and the material is light weight which reduces the required grip force.

Applications:

  • Laboratory
  • Pipetting

Humantech does not endorse any of the products or companies featured in the reviews. All images are property of the vendor and used for illustrative reference only.


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Posted by humantech on May 4th, 2012

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