History
- Pliers are an ancient invention used for handling hot materials in metalworking processes.
- Development from wooden to bronze pliers likely occurred before 3000 BCE.
- The oldest illustrations of pliers depict the Greek god Hephaestus in his forge.
- The number of different plier designs increased with the invention of objects like horseshoes, fasteners, wire, pipes, and electrical components.
Design
- The basic design of pliers consists of handles, a pivot (often a rivet), and a head section with gripping jaws or cutting edges.
- Pliers are made of steel alloys with additives like vanadium or chromium for strength and corrosion resistance.
- Grips made of other materials are added to the handles for better handling and insulation against electric shock.
- Pliers have jaws of varying sizes and shapes, with textured surfaces to minimize slipping.
- Diagonal pliers are specifically designed for cutting wires.
Ergonomics
- Research has been conducted to improve plier design for easier use in difficult circumstances.
- Handles can be bent to align the load applied by the hand with the arm, reducing muscle fatigue.
- Ergonomic design is especially important for factory workers who use pliers continuously.
- Proper ergonomics can help prevent conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Related Concepts
- Nipper
References and External Links
- Hand Tools: Tongs, pincers, and pliers. Encyclopædia Britannica.
- What are parallel pliers and how do they work?. Maun Industries.
- The History of Hardware Tools. Inventors.About.com.
- A Concise Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities. London: Spottiswoode & Co.
- Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pliers.
- Look up pliers in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Pliers Data Sources
| Reference | URL |
|---|---|
| Glossary | https://harryandcojewellery.com.au/blogs/glossary/pliers |
| Wikipedia | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pliers |
| Wikidata | |
| Knowledge Graph | https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/02qtr5 |