Machining centres are machine tools for universal use that are able to perform a range of processes, such as milling, turning and drilling. They can be used in automated production lines and for custom manufacture of single parts or small batches. Where components are larger, the loading and adjustment of the blanks and retrieval of the components after machining is often associated with high stresses for operators, such as unfavourable constrained postures, high forces, and the handling of heavy weights. Good accessibility of the loading area and the straightforward use of auxiliary lifting equipment during these tasks is therefore very important.
Standards relevant to milling machines and machining centres can be found on NoRA by use of the following search terms:
The Technical Report ISO/TR 22100-3 describes how ergonomic principles can be applied during the risk reduction process according to ISO 12100 and how ergonomics standards can be applied to machinery. It helps designers take decisions with respect to ergonomics during the machine design process and can also be used when no relevant type C standards are available.
Limited access to the interior of machine tools often leads to unfavourable and constrained body postures (see also EN 1005-4). Catching on the door frame also constitutes an exacerbated injury risk.
On machines in the MVC Spinner range, the safety doors are located not on the front of the machine, but diagonally. This substantially increases the available clearance. Access from two sides provides good accessibility to more areas on the worktable, as a result of which unfavourable body postures are avoided (see EN 12417:2009, Table 2; EN 13128:2009, Table 5). This benefit is further enhanced by the fact that the design of the worktable enables it to be brought close to the opening.
When parts are loaded into and retrieved from machining centres, high loads must often be handled (see EN 1005-2). In some cases, these parts must also be inserted and fixed in the clamping devices with a high degree of precision and with adoption by the worker of an unfavourable body posture.
Cranes and lifting gear can be used in order to avoid heavy loads having to be handled manually. The ease of access to the machine tool's worktable from above enables cranes and lifting gear to be used easily and effectively to lift heavy workpieces into the machine and to stabilize them whilst they are being secured to the worktable (see EN 12417:2009, Table 2; EN 13128:2009, Table 5).
Design of the machine geometry to facilitate the use of lifting gear
