Luhr Jensen & Son's
Weld Ring Form & Weld Station

From this:	To this:

  [Need] [Solution] [Benefit] [Contacts] [Documentation]
[Materials List] [Models/Blue Prints] [Other Images]

Need:

Operators at Luhr Jensen & Sons Inc. were manually closing the gap and welding rings for fishing tackle. Closing the gap required high-repetition of an operation that placed strain on the wrists from the twisting motion produced when closing the gap with pliers held in each hand. Manually welding the rings with a hand-held plasma torch subjected the operator to eye, neck & back strain as well as close proximity to welding fumes. A solution was desired to replace these operations with a machine that an operator loaded parts into but a machine performed the forming and welding operations.

Solution:

The machine designed for this application requires an operator to load a weld ring and then load parts onto the weld ring. Initiating a cycle start advances the assembly into an automated forming and welding station. The system processes four sizes of weld rings. An ergonomic chair provides a substantial adjustment range coupled with adjustable foot pedals and work height. This allows the machine to fit nearly any operator with comfort. The machine was designed and built by Engineering and Prototype Services in Portland, Oregon.

Benefit:

A pre (existing process) and post (new process) ergonomic assessment confirmed that ergonomic and safety/health risks had been eliminated or reduced. The required motions for the operator have been reduced to simple loading and unloading of parts with some parts being able to be automatically unloaded.

Contacts:

• Luhr Jensen & Sons Inc. - Dave Lind
  Phone: 541-386-3811 ext. 254
• Engineering and Prototype Services - Stan Heard
  Phone: 503-295-2007
• OMEP - Mark Biederbeck
  Phone: 503-977-4115
• Oregon OSHA - Mark Hurliman
  Phone: 1-800-922-2689
  

Documentation:

• Base Line Ergonomic Evaluation (PDF)
• Post Production Ergonomic Evaluation (PDF)
• Dissemination Article (PDF)
• Hygienist Report (PDF)
• List of Vendors (PDF)
• Final Report (PDF)
• Quarterly Report Expenditure Sheet (PDF)
• Overview (This Document in PDF)
  

Materials List:

• PDF Format
• Excel Format

Models/Blue Prints:

• CAD files and Wire Model files are available for review. Contact Oregon OSHA Standards & Technical Section, (503) 378-3272 toll free in Oregon, (800)

Other Images:

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