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Simulation can support the design of an ergonomic workplace by enabling early assessment of ergonomic conditions in a virtual environment. An important feature is the possibility to study alternative solutions or the effect of improvements from an ergonomics perspective. To be able to conduct an efficient and reliable evaluation in a virtual environment, an objective analysis method is essential. Such an analysis method should be integrated in the simulation software, and support a company's everyday ergonomics work process. In order to gain from existing ergonomics knowledge within a company, the possibility to implement such wisdom in the current simulation software becomes important.This paper presents an implementation work done with the purpose of integrating an established ergonomics work process into a virtual environment. It describes the benefits of an ergonomics work process where simulation and evaluation at early stages of a design process are key factors. The paper will also describe the integration process, i.e., the technical issues as well as the change in work methods.Keywords: simulation; ergonomics; workplace design.Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Bäckstrand, G., Högberg, D., De Vin, L.J., Case, K. and Piamonte, P. (2007) ; and MSc (1995) and PhD (2000) degrees in Industrial Ergonomics from Luleå University of Technology, Sweden. He manages different projects in the areas of product and production ergonomics for different Volvo companies and their clients. His group is also involved in several national (Swedish) and EU-sponsored projects in the same areas.

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In manual assembly, a strategy to meet the goal of efficient production is the increased use of kitting as a material supply principle. Even though kitting is already implemented in industry, there are still uncertainties regarding the effects of introducing kits, particularly from a human factors perspective. This paper presents initial steps in the development of a method to be used for the evaluation of kitting. This from an information source point of view and for studying effects related to productivity and quality. The methodology is projected to act as a f oundation for how to carry out a subsequent comprehensive case study. The purpose of the case study is to explore how kitting affects the cognitive workload compared to the ordinary material rack combined with part numbers used in the current manufacturing industry. This is done by measuring productivity; time spent on assembling a product, and quality; number of assembly errors. One step in the methodology development process, which is described in this paper, was to conduct a pilot study, primarily to test the methodology related to the selection of measurement parameters, as well as for getting experiences from running the methodology with real test subjects.

Modern manufacturing information systems allow fast distribution of, and access to, information. One of the main purposes with an information system within manual assembly is to improve product quality, i.e. to ensure that assembly errors are as few as possible. Not only must an information system contain the right information, it must also provide it at the right time and in the right place. The paper highlights some of the concerns related to the design and use of information systems in manual assembly. The paper describes a study that focuses on the correlation between active information seeking behaviour and assembly errors. The results are founded on both quantitative and qualitative methods. The study indicates that by using simplified information carriers, with certain characteristics, the assembly personnel more easily could interpret the information, could to a higher degree be prompted (triggered) about product variants and could also be able to prepare physically and mentally for approaching products arriving along the assembly line. These conditions had positive influence on quality, i.e. gave a reduction of assembly errors.