title: Objective classification of performance in the use of a piercing saw in jewellery making.
abstract: Data from 15 jewellery students, in their 1st and 3rd years of training, were analysed to show how data collected from work settings can be used to objectively evaluate performance in the use of tools. Participants were asked to use a piercing saw to cut 5 lines in a piece of metal. Performance was categorised in terms of functional dynamics. Data from strain gauges and a tri-axial accelerometer (built into the handle of the saw) were recorded and thirteen metrics derived from these data. The key question for this paper is which metrics could be used to distinguish levels of ability. Principal Components Analysis identified five components: sawing action; grasp of handle; task completion time; lateral deviation of strokes; and quality of lines cut. Using representative metrics for these components, participants could be ranked in terms of performance (low, medium, high) and statistical analysis showed significant differences between participants on key metrics.
authors.affiliation: Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. Electronic address: c.baber@bham.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baber
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tulin Gunduz
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Cengiz
authors.affiliation: Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Starke
authors.affiliation: Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: Manish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parekh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D055498:Jewelry; D008297:Male; D066192:Manufacturing Industry / Q000193:education / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013180:Sprains and Strains; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D000066477:Work Performance / Q000145:classification*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Functional dynamics; Jewellery making; Tool use