ErgoSum™ Design Technology

Great designs aren't born in a vacuum. Having seen the current state of poorly designed, underperforming power tools on the market, WORX designers set out to create a new standard for ergonomics in power tools.

Under the ErgoSum™ Design Technology program, WORX researchers painstakingly calculated the proper angles, geometries, sizes and shapes in order to optimize the interface between human beings and their tools.

As a result, a comprehensive line of tools designed according to ErgoSum™ Design Technology was introduced in 2001. It constituted a breakthrough in proper ergonomics for power tools. But in the end, it was still merely the next step.

To transform power tools into an entirely new species, WORX designers had to begin a new evolution in function and design.

Power Tools and Your Body

In their basic form, portable power tools are made up of a motor and gears that drive a bit or a blade. However, they don't work by themselves—a user determines the direction and applies its force. This is why a properly designed power tool should work in perfect synergy with your body and why ergonomics is so important.

Ergonomics and Power Tools

Ergonomics is about adapting tools to fit the worker, rather than forcing the worker to conform to the tool. Good ergonomic design of tools not only produces a significant improvement in work accuracy and efficiency, but also helps to prevent the occurrence of work-related disorders and injuries.

Work-Related MSDs

According to the US Department of Labor, work-related MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders) consist of injuries or disorders of muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage or spinal discs. MSDs typically occur as a result of poor ergonomics rather than slips, trips, falls and other accidents. Improperly designed tools are a well-known cause of MSDs.

Risk factors

Awkward postures - Working in uncomfortable postures with bent joints and overextended or over flexed muscles

Repetition - Repeating the same motions frequently and for a long time, or using a device (such as a power tool) steadily for an extended period of time

Force - Lifting heavy objects or gripping objects (such as tools) in an abnormal way or with too much exertion of force

Vibration - Using tools or equipment with a high vibration level for more than a few minutes per day, or tools with moderate vibration for more than two hours daily

Individual risk factors are not disassociated from each other, but rather act together to have a cumulative affect on the body. As an example, working with a power tool in an awkward posture requires the operator to apply a larger amount of gripping force and this dramatically decreases the human body' capability of dampening vibration*.

MSDs—some figures

Ergonomic-related injuries and illnesses are the biggest job safety problem workers face today, accounting for an estimated 1.8 million cases every year. Of these, back injuries account for more than half of total MSD's, while arm and hand injuries account for another quarter.

According to the National Academy of Sciences, these injuries cost the country $45-54 billion annually.

Neutral Posture

Ergonomics experts agree the best way to prevent MSD's is by respecting the "neutral posture" of the human body. Neutral posture is when there is a status of muscular and articular balance. In the arm-hand system, an improper posture causes excessive muscular effort and awkward wrist flexion-extension positions.

The Human-Machine Adaptive Interface

It is clear that fixed handgrips can only ensure the neutral posture of the arm-hand system in one specific working position, while forcing the user into awkward postures in all other cases. WORX Revolver is a tribute to the fundamental principle of ergonomics. It is the first and only line of power tools that adapts itself to fit people and their jobs, rather than the other way around. The Revolver handle is adjustable over a range of 60°. Just what you need to cover all tasks and positions. Adjustment is easy, safe and quick—only takes a second—even while wearing heavy gloves.