Ergonomics - Atlas Copco

Percussive tools
Percussive tools use the blow energy
from an accelerated piston to create high
forces. The high forces can be used to
chip off steel or to set a rivet. Using the
tool may, however, involve risk of injury
from noise and vibration.
Vibration controlled riveting hammers
and bucking bars are frequently used in
the aerospace industry.
Where are the tools used?
There are three different types of percussive
tools: chipping hammers, scalers, and rivet-
ing hammers. The first two are commonly
used in foundries, while the riveting hammer
is mainly used in the aerospace industry.
Since percussive tools are very effective they
are commonly used for a variety of other
applications, from the worker assembling
guide pins in engine blocks to the sculptor
chipping away at raw material in his studio.
Working environment
High noise levels are a typical problem with
percussive tools. The machine noise can be
muffled, but noise from the main source, the
process, is difficult to reduce in a way that
is physically acceptable to the operators.
Vibration values are also high for per-
cussive tools, in particular from the inserted
tool. There is a general rule that the chisel
in a chipping hammer, for example, should
not be touched when the tool is being
operated. Easy to say, but difficult in
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