REDUCING MANUFACTURING PROCESS NOISE WITH INNOVATIVE DAMPING MATERIALS TO ENHANCE SAFETY IN HUMAN-MACHINE INTERACTION

Abstract

The auditory disturbances that are generated during various manufacturing operations present significant hazards to the overall health, safety, and productivity of workers, particularly in environments where the complex interactions between human operators and machine systems are of paramount importance. The occurrence of noise levels that are deemed excessive, surpassing the regulatory threshold of 85 dB for an 8-hour working period as delineated in the relevant Government Regulation, can result in detrimental auditory impairments, diminished levels of concentration, and an overall decline in work performance and efficiency among employees. Empirical investigations have shown that welding threading machines are responsible for producing the most elevated noise levels, reaching an alarming 86.1 dB, which effectively highlights the urgent need for targeted and effective noise reduction measures to be implemented in these settings. This study endeavors to rigorously examine the effectiveness of innovative damping materials, including but not limited to acrylic, polyurethane foam, and rockwool, in mitigating the adverse effects of excessive noise that are typically encountered during various manufacturing processes. By employing these advanced materials, the research aims to significantly improve safety conditions and enhance the quality of interactions between human operators and machine systems within the manufacturing environment. The most effective combination of damping materials consisting of acrylic, rockwool, and polyurethane foam successfully reduced noise levels by 12.66%, demonstrating its potential to enhance worker safety in high-noise environments.