Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Chapter IV: Workspace & Arrangement Topics: Anthropometry Use of anthropometric data Workspace dimensions Work surfaces Principles of seat design Location of components
Anthropometry
Importance: It is the study of human body dimensions which come in different sizes & builds. Todays requirement makes one to spend more time sitting at control panels, computer terminals, library, classrooms, Television etc. ill-designed seat results in life-long injuries.
Anthropometry
Engineering Anthropology is concerned with dimensions, to the design of things people use
Body measurements of 2 types: - Static dimensions measurements taken when body is fixed /static position sitting, standing. : varies with age, gender, ethnic divide, occupation & living conditions. - Dynamic (Functional) dimensions measurements taken when body is engaged in some physical activity reaching across, running. Arm reach is dependent not only on arm length but also shoulder movement, trunk rotation, bending of back etc. Somatography studies the front, top & side views of body members in an dynamic act.
Workspace design Design of Tools, Equipment & Machinery Design of Clothing Consumer Product Design Design of Work Environment People at large design must accommodate a broad spectrum of people. Design for specific group require collection of data concerning that group Country, age, handicapped
Principles of application
of Anthropometric data
1. Design for Extreme Individuals:
Design for the maximum (high) value & minimum (low) value of a design feature to accommodate almost all ( 5 95 %) persons in the population. Max door height : 7 to allow people to pass through. Any person beyond 7 coming through is very remote 9 door (for 100%) is thus not justifiable.
Principles of application
of Anthropometric data
2. Design for Adjustable Range:
Certain features of equipment / facilities can be designed so that they can be adjusted to the individuals who use them. To cover 5% females to 95 % males 100 % may lead to technical difficulties in design.
Principles of application
of Anthropometric data
3. Design for the Average: In non-critical features of equipment / facilities can use average values of anthropometric data on people where extreme adjustability is not possible. Often this is used to avoid complicity of anthropometric data. There is however no average individual A person may be average only on one or two body dimensions. Eg.: Ticket Counters, Height of Anvil in a Forging shop
Effect of Direction of Reach & Presence of Restraints: Traced at 35.4 level; Similarly, such envelopes could be drawn at different levels ( 600 to + 900 levels)
the distance that they can reach, thus effecting the size of the envelope. Winter clothing reduces the envelope by 2 on truck drivers.
Clearance Requirement:
Work Surfaces
Are areas within the Workspace envelope Control panels, work tables, desks etc Generally, studied under 2 categories: 1. Horizontal Work surface Area 2. Work Surface Height: a) For Seated b) For Standing c) For Standing or Sitting
Work Surfaces
1. Horizontal Work surface Area:
This area is used by Seated or Sit-Stand personnel. Activities lie within the convenient arms reach (without undue exertion).
Certain normal areas & maximum areas were proposed by Squires (1956) & Barnes (1963): Normal area: Area reached by sweep of forearm while upper arm hangs in natural position on the side. Maximum area: Area that could be reached by extending the arm from the shoulder.
Design by Squires is a bit shallow, but reduces the stress on elbow joint. Wherever feasible it is better to use a slanted surface to reduce trunk movement, better posture lesser bending of neck.
Work surface height if, Too low back to bend too far : Back ache Too high - Shoulders to be raised above relaxed posture : Discomfort to shoulder & neck.
Arm posture: Upper arm & elbows at 900 is comfortable for repetitive jobs& assembly work. Table top : 27 30 Thigh clearance: 26.2 from underside of desk
Precision Work
(Elec. Circuitry)
Light Work
(Small assembly)
Heavy Work
(Involving weight & pressure)
Lumbar Support
The muscular activity while sitting or standing (static) is measurable by using Electro Myo Graphs.
Muscle activity is reduced by reclining the back rest by 1100.
periods without significant movements. Eg.: Using computer for long hours eyes on screen & hands on keyboard. Discs between the vertebrae in the spine require changes in pressure to receive nutrients & remove waste products they do not require blood supply. Fixity results in degenerative process in the disc. Swelling in legs, cramps shoulder ache are other fallouts of restricted blood flow due to postural fixity. Best alternative is provide for standing, stretch outs.
Head, Neck
Desirable Posture
Design Implications
Provision of back rest & appropriate location of display & controls. Provision of arm rest & hand controls.
More or less vertical with normal spinal curvature to minimize muscle activity of back. Upper Upper arm vertical Limb Forearm horizontal Wrist palm downwards & inwards
Lower Thigh horizontal Size, height & slope Limb Lower leg obtuse angle to of seat thigh Provision for: Foot 900 to lower leg. adjustment for foot rest & foot controls
Optimum location is decided by human capabilities & characteristics sensory, anthropometric & biomechanical.
Placing a control in a optimum position may separate it from the display to which it is related. Hence a trade-off is required.
Functional
Sequence Of Use
Methodologies for Arranging Components Use of components can be identified and rated as Important, Unimportant, Seldom used and Frequently Used through proper judgement. The relationship between components is termed as Links. Classified as: Communicational Links Control Links Movement Links.
O E U O O U E E O
E
E O
Controls requiring moderate to high force (Levers & Cranks) location depends upon the ability of application of the required force from a given position. Best location for levers & cranks operated continuously, is in front of the sitting or standing operator. Handle to travel at about waist height and in the sagittal plane (vertical plane form front to back).
Controls on Panels:
The area is different when the control is operated with force termed as optimal area.