While the single blade and surform blade have some advantages, the double blade showed great promise for control and small cuts. A single blade, double-blade configuration, and surform blade were tested on trees local to UC Davis.

While the handle remained similar to the traditional knife, the three blades were attempts at meeting the smaller-cut objective. The prototype that was developed included three different interchangeable blades to be affixed on a base handle. It was the objective of the D-Lab to create a prototype that would augment the narrowness of a bark cut and allow for an increased lifespan for the rubber tree.

While there are different products and university projects that have looked to advance the efficiency of the rubber-tapping knife, there is still significant room for design improvements. There is a traditional knife that can be found in different countries and has been used for many decades. Velásquez S, Valderrama S, Giraldo D (2016) Ergonomic assessment of natural rubber processing in plantations and small enterprises.The field of rubber tapping currently requires a knife to carve off just the right amount of bark in order to extract rubber from a rubber tree without damaging it. In: 18th Annual international ergonomics conference ‘humanizing work and work environment’ (HWWE) Varghese A, Panicker VV (2020) Ergonomic evaluation of rubber tapping workers using postural ergonomic risk assessment. In: Advanced manufacturing systems and innovative product design: select proceedings of IPDIMS 2020. Varghese A, Panicker VV (2021) Computer-Aided ergonomic analysis for rubber tapping workers. Van Beilen JB, Poirier Y (2007) Establishment of new crops for the production of natural rubber. Udom C, Kanlayanaphotporn R, Janwantanakul P (2019) Predictors for nonspecific low back pain in rubber farmers: a 1-year prospective cohort study. Udom C, Janwantanakul P, Kanlayanaphotporn R (2016) The prevalence of low back pain and its associated factors in Thai rubber farmers. Stankevitz K, Schoenfisch A, de Silva V, Tharindra H, Stroo M, Ostbye T (2016) Prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among Sri Lankan rubber tappers. Our Motorized Rubber Tapping Knife is the best solution. Pramchoo W, Geater AF, Harris-Adamson C, Tangtrakulwanich B (2018) Ergonomic rubber tapping knife relieves symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome among rubber tappers. The shortage of tappers is a serious problem in rubber plantations in Sri Lanka today. Pramchoo W, Geater AF, Tangtrakulwanich B (2020) Physical ergonomic risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome among rubber tappers.

Meksawi S, Tangtrakulwanich B, Chongsuvivatwong V (2012) Musculoskeletal problems and ergonomic risk assessment in rubber tappers: a community-based study in southern Thailand. McAtamney L, Corlett EN (1993) RULA: a survey method for the investigation of work-related upper limb disorders. Hignett S, McAtamney L (2000) Rapid Entire body assessment (REBA). Appl Ergon 39:57–69ĭoi MAC, Yusuff RM, Leman Z (2007) A preliminary study of prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among Malaysian rubber tappers. Massey University, New Zealandĭavid G, Woods V, Li G, Buckle P (2008) The development of the quick exposure check (QEC) for assessing exposure to risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

īoonphadh P (2008) The perceived effects of work on health of rubber farmers in southern Thailand.

KeywordsĪssociation of natural rubber producing countries (ANRPC) (2017) Report on rubber production. It was found that a vast majority of workers (84%) were at a medium level of risk of MSDs, whereas the remaining 16% of the participants were at a high risk, needing corrective actions to be taken soon. This study implemented REBA for posture analysis of rubber tappers to assess the risk levels of MSDs prevalent among them. The working postures were analysed based on the recorded videos using the ergonomic assessment tool, REBA. The rubber tapping activity of each worker was observed directly and also recorded on video. A study was conducted among twenty-five rubber tappers, mainly in the northern district of Kozhikode in Kerala, India. Since tappers usually tap more than 300 trees in a day, they are repeatedly exposed to these awkward postures and thereby subjected to varying levels of risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). While performing rubber tapping, workers have to adopt ergonomically awkward postures involving flexion and/or extension, lateral bending and twisting in the wrists, arms, trunk and neck. It is harvested from tree species whose latex contains a significant amount of rubber by a process called rubber tapping, a physically demanding work activity in which rubber tapping workers cut the rubber tree bark, causing the latex to exude from the inner layer. Natural rubber is a global commodity of great importance.

Supertab rubber tapping knife