Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Development And Application Of A Portable System To Reliably Measure Grip Forces Using Thin-Film Force Sensors, Shane Tornifoglio

Shane Vincent Tornifoglio

Accurate tracking of hand grip force is an important consideration needed for a robust understanding in the study of human biomechanics. One aspect where it proves useful is in hand-arm vibration, such as from gripping a power tool. Depending on how firmly the user is gripping the tool, they may change their exposure levels to the tool vibration, which can lead to potential disorders such as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). A small, battery powered portable force unit has been developed to supply power to, and condition, the signals from eight thin-film force sensors. This gives a better understanding of the …