The Risk
Did you know that 1 in 10 users of percussion tools develop hand-arm vibration syndrome? Or that 1 in 3 of these users will need wrist surgery in their lifetime?
Fossil Preservation
From major excavation work to the delicate extraction of microfossils, fossil preservation depends on these dangerous percussion tools. Among these, one percussion instrument stands out as the most widely used in the field.
The All-In-One Tool
The main tool used by curators is an air scribe. It acts as a mini jackhammer, with a piston striking the chisel head at rapid rates to help excavate both large and small bone fragments. Its small size often means it lacks the proper damping to help reduce risk.
To better understand key pain points, we visited the Cincinnati Museum Center’s paleontology lab. There, we spoke with Katie Hunt, the lab manager, and Cameron Schwalbach, the collections manager. They provided live air scribe demonstrations and let us analyze their workspace for efficiency.
Meeting With Professionals
Vibration damping
Key Painpoints
Fluid Speed Control
Provide more intuitive control over power output for micro-fossil work.
Reduce the amount of vibrational kickback inflicted upon the user.
Integrated Lighting
Integrate precision lighting directly into the tool for restricted-space use.
User Interaction, lighting, and form concept
