Dispositivos auxiliares de segurança para marcenarias: desenvolvimento de empurradores de madeira por meio de impressão 3D

Abstract

The Brazilian furniture sector is predominantly composed of micro and small enterprises which, although essential to the economy, show high rates of occupational accidents, especially in carpentry workshops. Most of these accidents involve upper limbs, particularly fingers and hands, and are frequently caused by saw machines. Despite the existence of auxiliary devices such as push sticks, their use is still not widespread among workers. This project aimed to investigate the occurrence of upper limb injuries in carpentry workshops in the city of Uberlândia, to develop ergonomically improved push sticks using 3D printing, and to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of these devices as safer and more affordable alternatives to traditional models. The research adopted the Action Research approach, involving field observations, interviews with carpenters, and analysis of work-related accidents. Six workshops were visited, totaling 26 interviews. Additionally, similar devices were analyzed, bibliographic research was conducted, and digital modeling was used to develop four 3D-printed push stick prototypes. The study identified a high rate of accidents, mainly involving the circular saw, with the right thumb being the most affected region. Four push stick models were created, with models 1 and 2 standing out for being more ergonomic, reusable, and cost-effective compared to products currently available on the market. 3D printing proved to be both technically and economically feasible. The research met its goals by proposing practical and accessible safety solutions for carpentry. The developed push sticks need to be tested in real workshop environments to verify their potential for reducing accidents and enabling decentralized production. The results contribute to a culture of safety in the sector and suggest potential for industrial design registration and future certification for professional use.