Tuned mass damper to control hand-arm vibrations of hand-held tools

Abstract

This article concentrates on the problem of hand-arm vibration syndrome that occurs to hand workers who use hand-held tools for digging or drilling. To control vibrations induced in these devices, a tuned mass damper system is suggested here where another handle with elastomeric material is installed around the tools’ handle. The new handle is equipped with a passive tuned mass damper used to oppose the dynamic vibrational motion of the tool. This device proved ability to reduce the level of vibrations more than 40 dB (100 times). Simulation results are promising and the device can be installed to any existing tool.