A new data structure and workflow for using 3D anthropometry in the design of wearable products

Abstract

Abstract.The human body is a complex biomechanical system that exhibits many variations. Wearable products should be both functional and comfortable. They require a close and accurate fit to the body of the end-user. Current approaches to design body near products rely on 1D anthropometry and unrealistic manikins, e.g. constructed from simple surfaces such as spheres and cylinders connected by splines. With the uprising of 3D scanning, a myriad of accurate 3D body models becomes available. In this paper we present a framework to use this 3D shape information in the development of wearable products. The key concept that we introduce to achieve this extension, is an enriched shape model: a statistical shape model of the human body that also contains all 1D anthropometric data in it. With enriched shape models, a 3D shape can be parameterized with a given set of anthropometric features. Thus the dense geometric information of an individual's shape can be obtained simply by tuning that individual's anthropometric values. By designing on the generated 3D surface, a product can be obtained that closely fits the individual's shape. We thus extend the method of linking 1D anthropometric data with the dimensions of a product. This results in three design strategies that link both body shape with product geometry: design for collective fit, design for fit within clusters and design for individual fit. Each strategy is explained and studied with the design of wearable EEG headsets that fits the human head. KeywordsMass-customization, EEG headsets, CAD, parameterized design, 3D anthropometry, statistical shape models Relevance to Design PracticeWe present a workflow to use accurate 3D shape models of the human body in the design of products that should closely fit the end-user. To that end, we introduce enriched shape models: a new data structure that contains all dense geometric shape information together with classical anthropometric data. We illustrate how enriched shape models can be used to achieve products with personalized fit, as an extension to the use of univariate anthropometric data. The use of enriched shape models for personalized design could become an important driver for mass customization. To that end, tools and techniques should be developed to incorporate the presented workflow in CAD/CAM.

A scalable mass customisation design process for 3D-printed respirator mask to combat COVID-19

“…Significant advances have been made over the years to automate or simplify parts of the custom-fit design process. In recent years, statistical shape models of heads and faces have been used to predict 3D head and facial shapes from one-dimensional anthropometric measurements, thereby removing the need for 3D scanners in the data acquisition step (Verwulgen et al , 2018; Lacko et al , 2017; Chu et al , 2017; Chu et al , 2015). Advances in 3D scanning technologies have also brought about affordable handheld 3D scanners to make the acquisition process less cumbersome.…”

Explorando novas tecnologias para a Antropometria Sentada

“…A antropometria é uma área de estudo relacionada com a captura de dimensões, variáveis, morfologias e alcances corporais (PANERO;ZELNIK, 2002). A área vem ganhando um novo destaque, pois os avanços tecnológicos recentes, em especial as tecnologias de escaneamento tridimensional e as técnicas de modelagem tridimensional, permitem que essas medidas sejam usadas mais diretamente (VERWULGEN et al, 2018;BALLESTER et al 2014) e que sejam realizadas de maneira mais rápida (BRENDLER; TEIXEIRA, 2016), precisa (ROODBANDI et al, 2017) e detalhada (LEE et al, 2015). Essa categoria de antropometria que é realizada usando o escaneamento tridimensional é chamada de antropometria digital (HEYMSFIELD et al, 2018).…”

Traditional and 3D scan extracted measurements of the heads and faces of Dutch children

“…These products need to fit well, to ensure functionality, safety and comfort. Various researchers have shown the benefit of using 3D anthropometric data in the development or evaluation of head related products (Liu et al, 2008;Alemany et al, 2012;Schreinemakers et al, 2013;Ellena et al, 2016;Stavrakos and Ahmed-Kristensen 2016;Lacko et al, 2017;Verwulgen et al, 2018;Skals et al, 2016). In medical products, a proper fit can have an immediate impact on the health of the patient.…”