Ergonomics and Anthropometry in Design

Ergonomics and Anthropometry in Design

The main aim of the paper is to illustrate the importance of ergonomics in the design process. Ergonomics is a science that is mainly concentrated on research concerning human fit. In other words, it can have described as the adaptation of work to humans. It is related to human performance capabilities, systems, work environments, and product design. Ergonomics is considered as a vital aspect in the design process because it makes integration of data and techniques from several disciplines. Some of the areas that are taken into consideration include biomechanics, anthropometry, environmental physics, and psychology. Ergonomics utilized to make sure that best design practices are achieved.

There are three main categories of Ergonomics. Physical ergonomics is used in the study of human anatomical, biomechanical, and physiological features on physical activity. The sections in critical in design because it used in the evaluation of work environment, work factors, working postures, and repetitive motion. Psychological mechanics is used in assessing the impact of mental processes such as emotions, memory, cognition, and reasoning. The category plays a major in designing human-computer interaction, mental workload, human reliability, stress, and motivation. Organizational ergonomics promotes structure optimization, technical systems, and policies. The category is used in design in areas like staff resources, quality management, and work schedule (Wilhelmsen et al., 2016).

Ergonomics aims to develop productive, comfortable, and safe work environments. The action is made possible through the incorporation of data relating to human performance capabilities, challenges, and the process of design. In cases where it has been applied early, ergonomic methods can identify mismatches that occur between job task requirements and performance capabilities. Therefore, it plays a significant role in determining obstacles that may lead to illness land injuries. Ergonomics is regarded as an integral part of the design process since it ensures the need of the user is accommodated at the end (Kroemer et al., 2017).

Anthropometry studies physical measurements of the human body, precisely size, and shape. The science is used to provide complex information needed when dealing with emergence work systems. Some work systems can only have developed with the knowledge of accurate human body dimensions. Therefore, science is used to collect anthropometric data that is used to understand the physical variation of human beings. Anthropometric measurements and information serve as a guide for designers to help in accommodating diverse percentiles of the population. It provides a majority of people an opportunity to interact and use designed product or service. When it comes to ergonomics, anthropometry is used in designing adjustability, design for extremes, and designing of the average (Haslegrave et al., 2018).

Populations

In these examples, design recommendations will be developed for Aston Martin Lagonda Automotive Manufacturing located in Gaydon, England. Since the work station will be based in Glyndon, the data used will be from England. Both females and males will use the station. During the design process, the female date will be used because they are known to have shorter arms. Therefore, the design will not affect male individuals.

Applicable anthropometric position

The forward functional reach will be computed from the position of the seat (#7 from table 3.2 on page 67)

Percentage of the population to be accommodated

The design will ensure that individuals with shorter arms can have access to controls without straining. The plan will use the 5th percentile data.

Computations

• = x’ + (z x sd) from 3.2 on page 74 in the text
• = 753mm (from table 3.2 on page 69 in the text)
• = -1.64 (from table 3.4 on page 75 in the text)
• = 35mm (from table 3.2 on page 69 in the text)
• 753mm + (-1.64 x 35) = 695.6 mm or 2.28 feet

References

Grandjean, E., & Kroemer, K. H. (2017). Fitting the task to the human: a textbook of occupational ergonomics. CRC press.

Pheasant, S., & Haslegrave, C. M. (2018). Bodyspace: Anthropometry, ergonomics and the design of work. CRC Press.

Stack, T., Ostrom, L. T., & Wilhelmsen, C. A. (2016). Occupational ergonomics: A practical approach. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.