Stature, Age, and Gender Effects on Reach Motion Postures

Self Cite

109

Digital Human Models (DHMs) are fast becoming an effective tool for performing proactive ergonomics analysis and design. DHM software, such as Jack, SAFEWORK, RAMSIS, SAMMIE, and the UM 3DSSP, are meant to assist a designer early in a product development process, when he or she is attempting to improve the physical design of vehicle interiors and manufacturing workplaces. To become even more effective in meeting such a goal, it is proposed that future DHMs must include valid posture and motion prediction models for various populations. It is argued in this article that existing posture and motion prediction models now used in DHMs must be based on real motion data to assure validity for complex dynamic task simulations. It is further proposed that if valid human posture and motion prediction models are developed, these can be combined with psychophysical and biomechanical models to provide a very powerful tool for predicting dynamic human performance and population specific limitations.

Section: Head-hand Coordination Modelingmentioning

confidence: 62%

Human motion simulation for vehicle and workplace design

Chaffin

2007

Self Cite

109

“…In addition, the literature shows that stature influences posture and the subsequent ergonomic assessment (Chaffin, Faraway, Zhang, & Wooley, 2000). Hence, a sample of participants of various body dimensions must be included in any ergonomic assessment of a virtual design.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Untitled

Kuo

Wang

2007

In the past, computer-based ergonomic analysis has been time-consuming and has required many assumptions when the virtual human motion paths have been programmed. Hence, it appears that many in the human factors and ergonomics profession have not developed much expertise in the Digital Human Modeling area. The Virtual Build method first demonstrated by the Ford Motor Company appears to improve the accuracy and speed of the ergonomic analyses used in design of assembly processes. It allows capture of real-motion and virtual process interaction rather than assuming expected posture and task motion. A variation of the Virtual Build methodology, presented in this article, affords the benefit that both product and process design can be analyzed prior to production and limitations have been overcome. Hardware limitations in the Virtual Build environment previously prevented transfer of the data collection and analysis methods to the real manufacturing environment and limited the ability to validate the predictions from the virtual industrial environment. Preliminary results of the case illustrating the modified Virtual Build research methodology presented in this article appear to be promising in support of computer-aided ergonomics and safety for design of new or existing workstations and consumer products. A mixed-mode virtualreal environment that provides force feedback can be used to supplement the experimental setup and improve fidelity of the interactions in a work design assessment. A summary of the comfort assessment for a product design example that was tested with constrained human motion is outlined in the results section and presented in the context of a summary of key issues in Virtual Interactive Design and Virtual Build Assessments.

“…In this study, the stature of one subject (169 cm) was approaching the average height (168.7 cm), and the other two was close to the average height 6 5 cm, which was about 163 cm and 173cm, respectively. According to previous research, the body size of the human model would have an effect on body motion and joint posture (Chaffin, Faraway, Zhang, & Wooley, 2000). Thus, it is necessary to conduct ergonomics evaluations of the workplace with digital human models of different body sizes to represent the general worker population and to generate more valid outcomes and recommendations.…”

Section: Workplace Dimension and Motion Capture Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital human modeling and workplace evaluation: Using an automobile assembly task as an example

Chang

Wang

2007

This study proposes a method of conducting workplace evaluations in the digital environment for the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. For visual presentation, we apply a digital human modeling system to the workplace virtual dynamic simulation. Then, we use captured workplace motion data for ergonomics evaluation, including biomechanics analysis and posture analysis. By integrating dynamic simulation and ergonomics evaluation, it enables the system designer to visualize and improve workplace design in the digital space. The method has been applied to evaluate automobile assembly tasks and some ergonomic improvements have been implemented.f©