Assembly Line Lighting

[rteich]

I am working on improving the lighting on our assembly line and am wondering if anyone has any recomendations as to what is appropriate in terms of foot candles, light color etc.

Thanks in advance.

 

[PSE]

It would be dependent upon the types of operations taking place on the line. My recommendation would be to study the processes taking place carefully as well as talk to the people doing the work in order to get their input. You may have good illumination levels but if the operators concerns are with shadows or glare, may need to look at the luminare designs or simply supplementary task lighting.

Detailed or high precision work tends to utilize higher levels of ambient illumination. We do a lot of precision assembly and run about if I remember correctly use around 60-100 foot candles (measured at the work surface) with full spectrum type bulbs. Essentially, we have an expensive setup to operate and maintain but it is necessary for the type of work being done.

Regards,

 

[tomwalz]

Not sure how relevant this is but it is really important.

Are you familiar with the Western Electric study at their Hawthorne regarding light levels?

http://www.newagepublishers.com/samplechapter/000920.pdf

section 1.3.7

We have always given the operators input into light levels. We run assembly in 2 person teams on conveyors. Every couple years someone has a new idea for a desk lamp and we try it. We let the operators who like it change. Over the past couple decades we have changed several times. I think the ability to control light levels in the workplace is much more important than the actual light levels. Engineering tests have shown that our light levels are fine without the individual lamps. Still the operators like the lamps and the like goosenecks or something similar they can adjust.

It is a bit of a hassle but we encourage operators to feel empowered about quality and performance.

Tom


Thomas J. Walz
Carbide Processors, Inc.

http://www.carbideprocessors.com