Hand-arm models for supporting the early validation process within the product development of single impulse operating power tools

• Published in: Forschung im Ingenieurwesen 2018-06, Vol.82 (2), p.119-129
• Main Authors: Matthiesen, S., Mangold, S., Germann, R., Schäfer, T., Schmidt, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computer simulation; Engineering; Hand tools; Mechanical Engineering; Multibody systems; Originalarbeiten/Originals; Product development
• ISSN: 0015-7899; 1434-0860
• DOI: 10.1007/s10010-018-0265-1

This contribution addresses the early validation activities within the product development process of power tools. The aim of this article is to support these activities with multi directional hand-arm models predicting the passive interactions between the hand-arm system and power tool. Through the use of such models it is possible to achieve constant testing conditions in validation. The presented method for implementing these models is giving the possibility to analyze and model the interactions between user and power tool without influencing them. The implementation of the model is based on the theory that the interaction can be analyzed with the help of an overall system multi-body model. The contribution describes the steps to achieve the basic structure of the sub models for this overall system model and how to adjust the parameters of those multi-body simulation models. On the basis of this method, a hand-arm model is developed. The hand-arm model is able to simulate the passive behavior of a user during the usage of a high-accelerated power tool (gas actuated nail gun) in translational and rotational direction. With the help of this model, it is possible to investigate the interactions between power tool and the user and therefore to support the early validation of power tools under constant testing conditions.