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Anthropometrics:
Resources and New Directions
Anthropometry refers to the science of
dealing with measurements of size,
weight, and proportions of the human
body. Anthropometry plays an important
role in a variety of scientific and
technical fields ranging from genetics
and nutrition to forensics and
industrial design. More specifically
within the field of ergonomics,
anthropometry is applied in the
evaluation and design of workplaces and
equipment for human use.
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The goal of ergonomics is to
optimize designs of tools,
workplaces, and environments in such
a way that humans can function
safely and effectively – in other
words, to optimize human performance
by achieving the best possible fit
between the human operator, the
equipment (hardware and software),
and the working environment
(physical and psychosocial). This
is referred to as the “human machine
interface”.
Anthropometry can and does play a
major role in achieving this goal
because variations in bodily
features, such as gender, shape,
size, strength and reach can affect
the way in which people perform
tasks and thus have an important
influence on the quality of the
human-machine interface design.
Using anthropometric data one can
analyze and evaluate to ensure
designs will accommodate a wide
range of the human population from
the smallest female to the largest
male. The possible applications of
applying this anthropometric data
ranges from industrial equipment and
manufacturing processes, clothing
and furniture design, to virtually
every item in an environment with
which humans interact. |
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Typically anthropometric data has been
provided by the US Military, which have
conducted a number of anthropometric
surveys. The most recent study was
conducted and published in 1988; the
Army Anthropometric Survey (ANSUR) was
completed to update the previous
anthropometric database of men (1966)
and women (1977) to more accurately
reflect demographic changes and secular
trends in body size and proportion
(1988 Anthropometric Survey of US Army
Personnel: Correlation Coefficients and
Regression Equations). In fact, many of
the ergonomics tools in use today have
been based on the anthropometric
provided from these US Military
surveys.
More recently the trend has shifted to
using three dimensional (3-D) scanners
to obtain anthropometric data. By using
this technique, hundreds of thousands of
data points can be captured in just a
few seconds and provide detail of the
surface shapes and 3D measurements.
According to Pheasant and Haslegrave
(2006), anthropometric data collection
surveys have been greatly enhanced by
using three dimensional (3D) scanners in
the types and quantity of anthropometric
dimensions which can be measured and in
the speed with which data can be
collected. CAESAR (Civilian American
and European Surface Anthropometry
Resource, 2002), is a product of this
new 3-D scanning technology, which
collected data on 2400 US and Canadian
and 2000 European civilians.
The 3-D body scanning technique has
revolutionized the way anthropometric
studies are being conducted. As well,
significant improvements have been made
in Computer Aided Design with the
advancement of more realistic digital
human models.
For further information on
anthropometric studies and data, you may
wish to refer to the sources listed
below:
Anthropometric Source Book
(Webb Associates, 1978)
ANSUR (US Military, 1988)
Jurgens et al (1990)
ADULTDATA (Peebles and Norris, 1998)
CAESAR (Robinette et al., 2002)
BODYSPACE: Anthropometry, Ergonomics
and The Design of Work. Third Edition
(2006)
PeopleSize 2008 (Open Ergonomics Ltd.,
2008)
References:
Cheverud, J. et al (1990); 1988
Anthropometric Survey of US Army
Personnel: Correlation Coefficients and
Regression Equations.
Pheasant, S., Haslegrave, C. M., (2006)
BODYSPACE: Anthropometry, Ergonomics
and The Design of Work. Third Edition
CAESAR: Civilian American and European
Surface Anthropometry Resource (2002)
http://www.sae.org/standardsdev/tsb/cooperative/caesar.htm
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Product Lifecycle Management Software
Inc. Additional information about Jack
can be found at:
http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/tecnomatix/human_performance/index.shtml |
