Workware

Since every Corona tool is powered by human muscle, ergonomics is one of the first factors considered when designing new products. Corona tools are designed  to work in close coordination with the human body through four key areas.

• Weight - Neither to heavy nor too light for the job.
• Balance - Designed for even distribution of mass that feels natural in motion.
• Grip Dimensions - Measured to maximise control whilst preventing fatigue.
• Grip Texture - Either a soft, non slip surface for a firm hold, or a smooth surface to reduce friction, which depends on how the tool is used.

Some tools are much more demanding to make ergonomic. For example, the ergonomics of a hand pruner are closely related to the hand size and physical strength of the user, so it's difficult to design one shape that works for everyone. That's why Corona offers a wide selection of pruners.

The process of ergonomic design at Corona always starts with reviewing well established ergonomic principles, such as avoiding high pressure points in the grip and sizing the grip diameter within a certain range. Even though it's not directly related to ergonomics, the Corona team also considers tool maintenance and what spare parts should be readily available. These factors contribute to the overall enjoyment of the tool.

Next, prototypes or working models are made to test new designs. Adjustments to the models are made until the design team is satisfied. Then the samples are sent to an independent lab for testing and evaluation. The Ergonomics Centre of North Carolina at NCSU is one of Corona's engineering partners. They measure muscle activity, angles of joints and other objective factors, as well as provide subjective opinions.

After this rigorous testing phase is complete, final adjustments are made. The tool heads into production, onto store shelves and ultimately into users hands.

There is no substitute for real life experience in determining ergonomics for any tool, and with more than 80 years of experience, Corona has plenty to draw from. Corona's current design team includes Tim Atnip director of manufacturing and engineering; Hyok Lee, engineering manager; Nghiem Tran, new product development engineer; and Gilbert Schlant, new product prototyping specialist, all are masters of their field.