a b s t r a c tThis paper examines the potential use of KinectÔ range sensor in observational methods for assessing postural loads. Range sensors can detect the position of the joints at high sampling rates without attaching sensors or markers directly to the subject under study. First, a computerized OWAS ergonomic assessment system was implemented to permit the data acquisition from KinectÔ and data processing in order to identify the risk level of each recorded postures. Output data were compared with the results provided by human observers, and were used to determine the influence of the sensor view angle relative to the worker. The tests show high inter-method agreement in the classification of risk categories (Proportion agreement index ¼ 0.89 k ¼ 0.83) when the tracked subject is facing the sensor. The camera's point of view relative to the position of the tracked subject significantly affects the correct classification of the postures. Although the results are promising, some aspects involved in the use of low-cost range sensors should be further studied for their use in real environments.

Job rotation is an organizational strategy increasingly used in manufacturing systems as it provides benefits to both workers and management in an organization. Job rotation prevents musculoskeletal disorders, eliminates boredom and increases job satisfaction and morale. As a result, the company gains a skilled and motivated workforce, which leads to increases in productivity, employee loyalty and decreases in employee turnover. A multi-criteria genetic algorithm is employed to generate job rotation schedules, with considering the most adequate employeejob assignments to prevent musculoskeletal disorders caused by accumulation of fatigue. The algorithm provides the best adequacy available between workers and the competences needed for performing the tasks. The design of the rotation schedules is based not only on ergonomic criteria but also on issues related to product quality and employee satisfaction. The model includes the workers' competences as a measure for the goodness of solutions.

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ElsevierAlcaide Marzal, J.; Diego-Mas, JA.; Asensio Cuesta, S.; Piqueras Fiszman, B. (2013). An exploratory study on the use of digital sculpting in conceptual product design. Design Studies. 34(2):264-284. doi:10.1016/j.destud.2012.09.001. An Exploratory Study on the Use of Digital Sculpting in Conceptual Product Design AbstractThe product design process involves intensive manipulation of graphical data, from pencil sketches to CAD files. The use of graphic software is common among professionals in this field.Despite this, the conceptual design stage remains intensive in paper and pencil work, as CAD systems are still too rigid to allow a creative production of concepts. In this paper the use of digital sculpting software is proposed as a way of producing 3D sketches in the early stages of the process. An experiment is conducted to determine to which extent 3D sculpt sketches can be considered as a suitable tool for conceptual design. The results show a better performance of 2D drawings, but support the complementary use of digital sculpting.

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