月: 2023年4月

What Is an Ergonomic Workbench?

An ergonomic workbench is a type of work table similar to standard workbenches but with a key feature: an adjustable height top. This functionality varies across different models, including manual handle adjustments, ratchet elevation mechanisms using spring force against grooved leg cylinders, and designs where the height can be altered by loosening and tightening bolts. Electric and gas cylinder variants are also available.

Uses of Ergonomic Workbenches

Ergonomic workbenches are commonly used in settings where standing work is prevalent. They improve work efficiency, reduce physical strain, and accommodate varying heights of workers, particularly in shift-based work environments. Ensuring a proper match between the worker’s height and the workbench height is essential to preventing uncomfortable postures, leading to inefficiency and fatigue. In workplaces with multiple shifts, adjusting the workbench height for each worker’s comfort is crucial for maintaining safety and productivity.

Principle of Ergonomic Workbenches

1. Handle-Operated

This type features a handle mechanism that, when turned, adjusts the height of the top board approximately 2 mm per rotation.

2. Ratchet-Operated

Using a spring-operated mechanism, this type slides and locks the tabletop at various heights by engaging with a groove in the leg cylinder.

3. Bolt-Fixed

To adjust the height, users remove the bolts, reposition the sliding feet on the legs to the desired height, and then re-secure the bolts. This design incorporates a knockdown method, allowing for versatile size options, reduced shipping costs, and on-site assembly.

Expansion of Applications by Differences in Top Surface Material

1. Low-Pressure Melamine Laminated Panel

This panel, made of a particleboard core and a melamine, has a surface hardness of 7H.

2. Polyester Laminated Plywood

This lightweight option, featuring a particleboard and paper core, is easy to move and has a surface hardness of 3H.

3. Vinyl Chloride Sheet

Made from a particleboard covered with a vinyl chloride sheet, this top panel is designed to prevent scratches on workpieces.

4. Melamine Laminated Panel

Known for its hardness, this panel variety, with surface hardness of 8H, offers different load capacities.

5. Steel

This powder-coated metal top panel is strong but prone to scratches. Caution is advised for maintaining the coating.

6. Stainless Steel

SUS304 stainless steel is both corrosion and chemical resistant, featuring an attractive hairline finish. Despite its durability, it can be susceptible to minor scratches from sharp objects or heavy use.

What Is a Portable Workbench?

A portable workbench is a work table featuring a top panel and legs, designed to handle the weight and impact of workpieces and tools. Unlike caster-equipped tables for meetings, these prioritize functionality and durability over design aesthetics.

The term mobile covers various types, including those designed to be moved with loaded items and those facilitating easy layout changes when not loaded.

Uses of Portable Workbenches

Portable workbenches are used primarily in two ways: for moving with loaded items and for easy layout adjustments when unloaded. The former offers efficiency and safety by enabling the movement of loaded items without the need for constant loading and unloading. These workbenches often have features like pedal-operated casters for quick transition between mobile and stationary modes.

The latter type, designed for layout flexibility without loaded items, is commonly used in distribution processing and assembly plants for tasks like inspection, testing, packaging, and assembly of lightweight products.

Principle of Portable Workbenches

The structure of a portable workbench includes a top panel supported by a frame, with sturdy legs that maintain rigidity using pipes to prevent horizontal swaying.

Expanding Applications by Differences in Top Surface Material

1. Low-Pressure Melamine Laminated Panel

A laminated panel with a particleboard core, covered with a melamine-impregnated sheet. Its surface hardness is rated at 7H.

2. Polyester Laminated Plywood

Featuring a lightweight particleboard and paper core, ideal for mobility. Surface hardness is 3H.

3. Vinyl Chloride Sheet

A top panel made of particleboard covered with a vinyl chloride sheet, offering elasticity to prevent scratches on workpieces.

4. Melamine Laminated Panel

This panel, with a hardness rating of 8H, is made of either particleboard or paper core, available in various load capacities.

5. Steel

A powder-coated metal top panel offering high strength, though susceptible to scratches from sharp objects. Coating damage should be noted.

What Is a Heavy-Duty Workbench?

A heavy-duty workbench is a robust table designed to endure significant loads and impacts from heavy objects and work activities. Although the definition of “heavy duty” varies by manufacturer, these workbenches typically handle loads between 1000 kg and 3000 kg.

Uses of Heavy-Duty Workbenches

Heavy-duty workbenches are essential in scenarios involving heavy workpieces. They are also used for hammering, grinding, or cutting tasks, especially when a vise is mounted on the tabletop. Stability is key in these benches to ensure that vibrations from work don’t interfere with other operations. Additionally, they often serve as sturdy worktables in educational technical classrooms.

Principle of Heavy-Duty Workbenches

The structure of heavy-duty workbenches includes a top panel supported by a robust frame. The legs provide stable support and feature a pipe structure designed to prevent lateral swaying. Designed for load-bearing efficiency, these workbenches have thick tops and frames. The knockdown structure offers versatility in size and function, reduces shipping costs, and facilitates bulk stocking.

Other Information on Heavy Duty Workbenches

Expanding Applications by Difference in Top Surface Material

• Vinyl Chloride Sheet: Impact-resistant particleboard with a vinyl chloride coating, ideal for preventing workpiece scratches.
• Melamine Laminated Panel: Features high hardness with a particleboard core, supporting substantial loads. Surface hardness is rated at 8H.
• Varnished Laminated Plywood: Suitable for heavy-duty tasks, this impact-resistant material supports vise-mounting. The natural variation in color tones between tabletops is a characteristic of this material.

What Is a Light Duty Workbench?

A light duty workbench is a work table consisting of a top and legs. Unlike a dining table or reception table for general home use, or a conference table used in a company, this product prioritizes functions that can withstand the weight of items loaded on the tabletop and the load and impact generated by work, rather than external design.
The definition of “light duty workbench” differs from manufacturer to manufacturer, but light duty workbench is mainly classified into light, medium, and heavy types, and those designed to withstand loads of 100 kg to 300 kg in terms of the mass of the loaded object under an even static load are often considered to be light duty workbench.

Uses of Light Duty Workbenches

Uses of light duty workbenches are rarely required in processes where various types of manufacturing, packaging, and processing machines are installed on the line and mechanical processing is used, but are mainly used in processes that require human judgment and detailed work and processing by hand.
The following are some examples of the purposes for which light duty workbenches are used.

• Packing: Picking goods from shelves and packing them into cardboard boxes for each destination at a mail order company’s shipping site.
• Packing: Packing products picked from shelves into cardboard boxes for each destination.
• Inspection/testing: Checking the number of items, measuring sizes, and checking quality at the final stage of the product manufacturing process.
  　Checking the quantity, size, and quality of products at the final stage of manufacturing.
• Inventory control: Inventory control in a warehouse while moving through aisles with a laptop computer.
  Assembling, grinding, drilling, punching, wiring, coloring, brush painting, repairing, and processing.
• Labeling and enclosing slips: Labeling products and enclosing instruction manuals, various guides, and slips.

Principle of Light Duty Workbench

The structure of a typical workbench consists of a top panel, a top frame member that supports the top panel, and legs (torii) that support the entire structure. The legs (torii legs) support the entire worktable, and the legs have a rigid structure with a pipe called a “swallow-tail pipe” attached to the legs in the direction of the frontage to prevent lateral swaying.
In principle, light duty workbenches have a thinner top than heavy duty workbenches in terms of load capacity, and the legs and top frame members are also thinner than those of heavy duty workbenches. In addition, the knockdown method (assembly type structure) is used to realize a wide range of size variations, to enable a variety of functional structures by combining individual components, and to reduce transportation costs so that large quantities can be stocked.

150 series assembly video: https://youtu.be/B39auCW0xwo

300 series assembly video: https://youtu.be/R2NNz8KhnIE

Expanding Applications With Different Top Surface Materials

• Low Pressure Melamine Laminated Panel
  　This is a laminate with a particleboard core and a melamine-impregnated sheet thermally and pressure-molded in one piece. Surface hardness is 7H.
• Polyester Laminated Plywood
  　With a particle board core and paper core core, it is very light and easy to move. Surface hardness is 3H.
• Vinyl Chloride Sheet
  　This is a top panel made of vinyl chloride sheet attached to particleboard. Its elasticity prevents scratches on workpieces.
• Melamine Laminated Panel
  　Melamine Laminated Panel has hardness, and the core material is particle board or paper core specification, and there are various types according to the load capacity. The surface hardness is 8H.
• Fingerprint-less Melamine Laminated Panel
  　Fingerprints are hardly noticeable, light reflection is suppressed, and stains are hardly noticeable. The surface color is brown and the surface hardness is 7H.
• Chemitekt
  　Chemitect (chemical-resistant special acrylic resin laminate) is ideal for laboratory benches that use chemicals such as strong acids and alkalis. Surface hardness is 4H.
• Laminated plywood with varnished finish
  　Laminated plywood with a varnished finish is resistant to impact and can be mounted with a vise, making it suitable for heavy-duty work. The color tone differs slightly from tabletop to tabletop due to the natural material.
• Steel
  　Powder coated metal tops. It has high strength, but please note that scratching with sharp objects will scratch the surface coating.
• Stainless steel
  　SUS304 material has excellent corrosion resistance and chemical resistance. The hairline finish on the surface is aesthetically pleasing. Although it has high hardness, minor scratches may be caused by scratching with sharp objects or rubbing against the load.

This article was supervised by Yamakin Kogyo Corporation, a manufacturer and seller of light duty workbenches.

What Is Endpoint Protection?

Endpoint protection refers to the security measures for various devices like PCs, smartphones, manufacturing equipment, and their connected servers, data, and systems. It is also known as endpoint security.

Types of Endpoint Protection

Endpoint protection can be categorized into three main types.

Antivirus and EPP (Endpoint Protection Platform)

This type includes traditional antivirus software that protects endpoints using a pattern matching method. It involves a database of known virus signatures to detect and prevent infections. The advantage of this software lies in its reliability in preventing known viruses.

Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV) and Next Generation Endpoint Protection Platforms (NGEPP)

NGAV focuses on contemporary threats like ransomware and advanced malware. It goes beyond traditional databases by employing behavior detection, AI, and machine learning to identify and block suspected malware. Utilizing cloud technology, NGAV balances endpoint protection and operational efficiency without burdening the device’s performance.

EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response)

EDR software is designed to complement the first two types. It records and monitors endpoint activities, providing immediate response to minimize damage from cyberattacks that bypass other protection layers.

Technologies to Be Used in Conjunction With Endpoint Protection

While endpoint protection is crucial, it’s recommended to use additional technologies in case of cyberattacks or system downtime:

Data Backups

Regular backups are essential, especially with the rise of cloud storage and remote work. Unlike synchronization drives, regular backups can recover lost or corrupted data and are less vulnerable to malware spreading from the local device.

Hybrid Backups

Hybrid backup involves backing up data both on corporate cloud services and endpoint devices. This method is highly effective for disaster recovery, ensuring data availability and integrity.

Remote Device Management

This technique allows for remote management of devices, including locking, deleting, and restoring functions. It’s particularly useful for tracking and managing corporate devices in case of loss or theft, ensuring secure asset management.

What Is Cell Analysis?

Cell analysis encompasses various techniques and equipment, tailored to specific aspects of cells one wishes to study. These methods can range from simple imaging to complex molecular analysis.

Common imaging uses a microscope or camera to assess cell number, condition, and viability. Advances in AI have led to software capable of automating cell count and long-term observation.

Instrumentation advancements in cell analysis have enabled detailed studies of cell behaviors such as migration, division, proliferation, and morphological changes, contributing significantly to recent breakthroughs in cell biology.

Uses of Cell Analysis

Cell analysis is integral to various fields including clinical research, reproductive medicine, and drug development. Its role is particularly crucial in cancer research due to the complexities of cancer cell behaviors like expression, migration, and network formation.

Diverse methods, like fluorescence microscopes, are employed in cell analysis, each selected based on the research goal. Recent developments include automated cell counting devices, enhancing accuracy and consistency in research.

Principles of Cell Analysis

Cell analysis often relies on imaging techniques, with fluorescence microscopy being a prominent method. It uses fluorescence emitted from a sample under specific wavelengths to capture images.

When exposed to intense light, molecules in the sample emit fluorescence of different wavelengths, allowing for substance-specific analysis. Overlaying images of various substances offers a comprehensive view of cellular states.

For instance, imaging cells stained for the cytoskeleton and mitochondria during mitosis provides vivid and detailed visualizations.

Other Information on Cell Analysis

Methods of Cell Analysis

1. Microscopy/Imaging Analysis:
Microscopes and cameras with broad wavelength capabilities, including visible light and near-infrared, enable detailed observation of cell morphology and changes. Some systems allow long-term live cell observation in conditions like those in an incubator.

Modern devices also quantify cell number and morphology through image analysis software.

2. Flow Cytometer:
Flow cytometers measure cell count and characteristics using laser beams and fluorescence. They are essential in diagnosing conditions like leukemia and for analyzing cell clusters.

3. Cell Analyzer:
A specialized flow cytometer, it counts cells on a slide, including challenging cell types like peripheral blood mononuclear cells, without sample collection.

4. Plate Reader:
This instrument assesses cell proliferation and viability by measuring absorbance and fluorescence.

5. Gene Transfer Device/Cell Fusion Device:
Used in plant breeding and gene therapy research, these devices enable gene introduction and cell fusion.

What Is a POS RFID System?

A point of sale radio frequency identification (POS RFID) system is a modern retail management tool that utilizes RFID tags for merchandise tracking. Unlike conventional price tags and barcodes, RFID systems facilitate comprehensive product information management and efficient inventory control. Increasingly prevalent in retail environments, POS RFID systems are revolutionizing the industry by reducing labor costs and streamlining processes.

RFID technology enables wireless information reading and rewriting through electromagnetic waves, similar to those used in transportation IC cards and automobile smart keys. However, deploying a retail RFID system initially requires an investment in reader/writer devices. Nevertheless, the cost of RFID technology for retail has been decreasing.

Uses of POS RFID Systems

POS RFID systems are instrumental in enhancing a variety of retail operations, including inventory control, checkout processes, theft prevention, and marketing analytics. These systems facilitate quick inventory checks, eliminating the need for manual counting or barcode scanning. Retail sectors, especially those dealing with high-value items like apparel, benefit significantly from RFID’s capacity to minimize handling errors and provide detailed marketing data.

RFID tags also store extensive product details, which are crucial for managing expiration dates and logistics. At checkout counters, RFID technology allows for the simultaneous registration of multiple items, speeding up customer transactions. Additionally, security gates fitted with RFID readers can alert staff about potential shoplifting incidents, bolstering store security.

Principle of POS RFID Systems

POS RFID systems operate similarly to other RFID applications, such as transportation and toll systems. They utilize radio waves and magnetic fields emitted from reader/writer devices to communicate with RFID tags, comprising an IC chip for data storage and an antenna for signal reception.

RFID operates on electromagnetic induction or radio waves, with the UHF band often used in retail applications. This frequency band is suitable for product management due to its extensive communication range and resilience against metal interference and shielding effects.

Types of POS RFID Systems

Key components of a POS RFID system are the tags attached to products and the reader/writer devices for information exchange.

Types of Tags

• Passive RFID: These tags, lacking an internal power source, harness energy from the reader’s radio waves to relay data. They are economical and have a prolonged lifespan.
• Active RFID: Equipped with an internal power source, these tags can transmit data over greater distances than passive RFID tags.

Types of Reader/Writer

• Handheld: Compact and convenient for users.
• Fixed: Known for their stable and efficient reading capabilities.

What Is a Collision Sensor?

Collision sensors are essential safety devices, and are broadly categorized into two types: collision prevention sensors and collision detection sensors. The former prevent collisions by measuring the distance to an object, while the latter detect the impact of a collision and initiate automatic responses, such as stopping the device.

Collision prevention sensors are integral to automatic braking systems in cars, helping to avoid accidents. They are also used in autonomous devices like drones to prevent collisions. Collision detection sensors, on the other hand, are vital in manufacturing line robots and automobile airbag systems, triggering automatic stopping or impact mitigation measures upon collision.

Uses of Collision Sensors

In the automotive industry, collision sensors, often termed “anti-collision sensors,” are used to measure the distance to obstacles and automatically apply brakes to prevent collisions. Drones also employ these sensors for safe navigation.

Collision detection sensors, installed in manufacturing settings or on rotating equipment like wind turbines, minimize damage by halting operations upon detecting excessive impact. These sensors are crucial in deploying airbags in vehicles during collisions.

Collision Sensors in Automobiles

Cars utilize both anti-collision and collision detection sensors. Anti-collision sensors measure proximity to obstacles and, based on the distance and relative speed, either trigger automatic braking or emit warnings. Collision detection sensors activate airbags upon detecting the substantial impact of a collision, safeguarding occupants.

Collision Sensors in the Manufacturing Industry

In manufacturing, anti-collision sensors prevent accidents involving forklifts and personnel, while collision detection sensors protect production line robots from damage. For instance, forklifts equipped with these sensors can avoid collisions with personnel in blind spots. Collision detection sensors in robots immediately halt operations upon contact with an object, reducing potential damage.

How Collision Sensors Work

Collision prevention sensors utilize cameras, millimeter waves, and infrared rays to measure distances. Camera-based systems analyze images to determine object distance, size, and type. Millimeter wave and infrared systems calculate distances based on the time taken for the waves to reflect back and changes in wavelength.

Collision detection sensors often contain an acceleration sensor, an air chamber, and a pressure gauge, detecting rapid acceleration increases or pressure changes due to external impacts. Connected to a controller, these sensors can send a stop signal or activate shock-dampening mechanisms upon collision detection.

What Is a Powered Exoskeleton?

Powered exoskeletons are wearable devices designed to reduce physical strain during activities such as lifting heavy objects and walking. These suits may include motorized and hydraulic actuators, and some models operate on air pressure without needing an external power source.

These exoskeletons find applications across various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare. With an aging workforce becoming more prevalent, especially in manufacturing, the demand for powered exoskeletons to alleviate physical strain is on the rise.

Structure and Effects of Powered Exoskeletons

Powered exoskeletons typically feature actuators such as motors or hydraulic systems and are worn over the limbs to aid movement. Some models are equipped with sensors that detect changes in muscle activity and stiffness, adjusting their support accordingly.

Non-electric powered exoskeletons are also available, offering ergonomic designs that minimize lower back strain and are compatible with regular work clothes and harnesses. These exoskeletons utilize the power of artificial muscles driven by air pressure and are designed for easy wearability.

Choosing the right size and wearing powered exoskeletons correctly is crucial to their effectiveness. Trials are recommended to ensure compatibility with the intended use, specific tasks, and the user’s physique.

Uses of Powered Exoskeletons

Powered exoskeletons are increasingly used in various industries, thanks to advancements in materials, sensor technologies, and motor miniaturization. They are particularly beneficial in sectors requiring frequent heavy lifting or prolonged periods of bending, such as agriculture, logistics, construction, and manufacturing.

They also support older adults in enhancing mobility and assist caregivers in tasks like transferring patients or assisting with personal care. For example, during the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, powered exoskeletons helped staff manage heavy lifting tasks, like changing weights for powerlifting events.

Powered Exoskeletons in Agriculture

In agriculture, powered exoskeletons assist in tasks requiring prolonged sitting or squatting, reducing lower back strain. They are adaptable for diverse users, including older adults and women, and can facilitate carrying heavy loads like harvest containers and tools.

Powered Exoskeletons in the Manufacturing Industry

Back pain, a major cause of workplace accidents in manufacturing, can be addressed by incorporating powered exoskeletons. With an aging skilled workforce and increasing participation of women and older workers, powered exoskeletons are becoming vital for reducing physical strain and enhancing workplace safety.