Honda Scholars Tour Research Labs
Honda scholars learned about the impact of Honda supported research in manufacturing when they toured two Ohio State engineering research labs on Feb. 24.
Greg Knapik, assistant director of the Spine Research Institute highlighted research aimed at resolving problems related to spine disorders which impact 65 million lives.
As the greatest cause of disability globally, spine disorders are one of the top three most expensive medical issues and account for a majority of opioid prescriptions.
The OSU Spine Institute’s three-part focus includes injury prevention, patient health improvement and causal pathways research. Injury prevention is addressed through biomechanics research using sensors and optical motion cameras to capture forces on the spine. This data leads to the design of more efficient ways to safely perform tasks. Knapik said personalized medicine and diagnostic equipment such as the clinical lumbar motion monitor have improved treatment for patients.
“There are no routine spine disorders, he said, “age, genetics, stress levels and sociological factors can impact each case.”
Person Specific modeling helps Ohio State researchers study unique characteristics such as gender and age to improve surgical outcomes. The modeling also helps predict potential spine fractures that result from cancer radiation treatment and improve treatment of the fractures.
“We’ve worked with Honda throughout the years to improve the health of line workers, Knapik said noting the implementation of equipment such as the rotate carrier which positions an automotive body at safer angles for associates to work on. Honda reduced line injury rates by 70% in five years, according to Knapik.
The Honda robotic lab in the basement of Baker Systems Engineering is where Prof. Bill Tullos and Josh Hassenzhal teach two lab-based courses in automation, the fastest growing area in manufacturing.
Two robotics students demonstrated how PLCs function as the brain of the Fanuc robots used at Honda. Each student explained their course projects on automated conveyor systems and the manufacturing applications they programmed into the robot.