Computer aided tools of ergonomics and system design

Abstract

Anthropometric digital human models are well established and used in order to get a better design of human-adapted machines. By the application of electronics and computer operated machines, nearly arbitrary design of controlling and operating the technical equipment seems possible. So more and more the question arises: What is operable by the human operator and what leads probably to a disaster due to much stress. By applying systems ergonomic rules, this can be avoided to a far extent. In order to consider these rules already in an early state of development, it seems useful to incorporate such rules in digital human models. By this procedure, cognitive human models will be created. The combination of such models with anthropometric digital human models will lead to the possibility to carry out virtual experiments under the condition of computer aided design. So, in the future, more ergonomic knowledge will be considered by this new technique. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. TRADITIONAL ERGONOMIC DESIGNIn order to judge the development potential of human modeling, the areas of its application are to be marked out. A powerful help for that is to consider the traditional manner of proceedings during the development of an ergonomic design. In this context we consider without exception human-related design of technical equipment (so-called microergonomics) and not aspects of the interrelation and interaction between the individuals of specific different designed organizations (so-called macroergonomics).In the practical application, two main streams of ergonomic layout can be observed: the ergonomic design of working places-we call that Production Ergonomics-and the ergonomic design of the products, which are sold on the open market-we call that Product Ergonomics. In both areas to a large extent the same ergonomic rules and tools are applied but only after all specific specialties in these areas are considered: Production Ergonomics:Production Ergonomics is concerned with human-related working places in productive and public service enterprises. Its goal is to reduce the work load in the first place to avoid danger of health injury but also to improve the individual contentedness in the working situation. All these demands however must be seen also by an economic point of view. That means: it also should be shown that the intended measures also enlarge performance. Often it would be sufficient to be able to point out that the amount of employee time missed due to illness could be reduced.

Assessment and virtual redesign of a manual handling workstation by computer-aided three-dimensional interactive application

“…Therefore, loading and handling tasks can be implemented in a safe, simple, and less repetitive manner and hence helps to fulfill the user-friendly goal of ergonomic tools (21).…”

Applying cognitive science to digital human modelling for user centred design

“…On the one hand, as technology increasingly demands more human processing abilities, the modelling of human cognition becomes more important. The range of human behaviours need to be known to design for human-related control systems (Bubb, 2002).…”

Incorporating Cognitive Aspects in Digital Human Modeling

“…However, as technology increasingly demands more human processing abilities, the modelling of human cognition becomes more important. The range of human behaviours need to be known to design for human-related control systems [9].…”

“…For each subtask (box) of the HTA, a set of questions, based on Bubb's points regarding system ergonomics [9], will act as guidelines for the design.…”