Assessment of thermal comfort and optimization of environmental factors at automotive industry

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the dominance effects of environmental factors such as Illuminance (lux), relative humidity (%) and WBGT (°C) on the operators' productivity at Malaysian automotive industry. One automotive parts assembly factory had been chosen as a subject for the study. The subjects were workers at the assembly section of the factory. The environment examined was the Illuminance (lux), relative humidity (%) and WBGT (°C) of the surrounding workstation area. Two sets of representative data including the Illuminance, relative humidity (%) and WBGT (°C) level and production rate were collected during the study. All the data was measured using Babuc apparatus which is capable to measure simultaneously those mentioned environmental factors. The time series data of fluctuating level of environmental were plotted to identify the significant changes of factors. Then Taguchi Method is being utilized to find the sequence of dominance factors that contributed to the productivity of operator at the specified production workstation. From there, optimum level for the three factors will be determine for optimum productivity. Further multiple linear regressions were employed to obtain the equation model in order to represent the relationship of these environmental factors towards productivity. The Thermal Comfort assessments of this station which is the scale PMV is 2.1 and PPD is 19% are likely to be satisfied by the worker. The study reveals that the dominant factor contribute to the productivity at the body assembly production line is WBGT and Illuminance whereas the empirical finding is closely related to the perception study by survey questionnaire distribution.