Transcript Anthropometry - UniMAP Portal

Anthropometric Principles
in Workspace and
Equipment Design
By
Ahmad Humaizi
Introduction
 Anthropometry
means measurement of
the human body.
 Greek anthropos (man) and metron
(measure)
Definition of Anthropometry
The part of anthropology (study of humans)
having to do with measurements of the
human body to determine differences in
races, individuals, etc…
Source : Webster’s New 20th Century Dictionary (1970)
Definition of Anthropometry
The study of human body measurements
esp. on a comparative basis.
Source: Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (1993)
Definition of Anthropometry
Anthropometry is a science that deals with
the measurement of size, weight, and
proportions of the human body. It is
empirical (experimentally derived) in
nature and has developed quantitative
methods to measure various physical
dimensions. (Chaffin, 1984)
Industrial Engineering
•Work Methods
•Facility Layout
•Work Flow
Anthropometry
Psychology
Biomechanics
Physiology
Occupational Ergonomics
Methods
Analysis
Workplace
Design
Machine &
Equipment
Design
Tool
Design
Operator
Assignments
& Job Design
Anthropometric Data
 Used
to specify dimensions of
workspaces, equipment, furniture, clothing
so as to ‘fit the task to the man’
 Avoid mismatches between the dimension
of equipment, products to the user.
Why Anthropometric Data
Important?
1.
2.
Optimize the dimensions of a diverse
range of items. Example, length of
toothbrushes, size of toolkits, size of
clothes for Malaysian… others.
Good example is T-shirt size Large for
Malaysians maybe size Small for New
Zealand Rugby club.
Human Variability
 Size
 Range
of Motion
 Strength
 Endurance
 Stress tolerance
 Intelligence
 Dexterity
 etc.
The Story of Lacy and
Andrew
Does one size fit all?
Lacy is 4’ 10” (147 cm)
Andrew is 6’ 10” (208 cm)
Love conquers all – even
anthropometry!
Where to get Anthropometric Data?
 Military?
 Hospital?
 Ministry
of Health?
Basically there are problems because the
way data obtained are not standard.
Meaning that Researcher A uses his method
while Researcher B uses his own method.
5th and 95th Percentile





Standard deviation, σ x
1.64 – MEAN = 5th
percentile
1.64 + MEAN = 95th
percentile.
σ x 2.32 – MEAN = 1st
percentile
2.32 + MEAN = 99th
percentile
Using these data, you
can compute a range of
statures, leg lengths and
others.
Applying Statistics to Design

Statistical information about body size is not
directly applicable to a design problem.
 Designer has to analyze anthropometric
mismatches and then decide the anthropometric
data which is appropriate to the problem.
 A suitable percentile has to be chosen.
 Example; a handicapped person in the
university. Current accommodation have been
made for normal people. If a handicap person
registers, he must adapt to the normal situation.
Adjustments must be made by university to
accommodate him.
Minimum Dimensions




There are situations we need
to use minimum dimensions for
the comfort ability of most
populations.
The door way must be no
lower than minimum value.
Seat width must be no
narrower than the largest hip
width.
In a female or mixed-sex
workforce, the body width of a
pregnant woman is used.
Maximum Dimensions
 A low
percentile is chosen to determine
the maximum height of a door latch so that
the smallest adult in a population will be
able to reach it.
 In public transport, the seat must be low
enough so that a short person can rest the
feet on the floor.
 The seat height must be no higher than 1st
or 5th percentile.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
 Sometimes,
not necessary to use
anthropometric data in all cases.
 Often trade-offs between between the
assitional costs of designing to suit a wide
range of people and the number of people
who will ultimately benefit.
Trade-off






Example, the height of a car vs
tall person.
If Mean for sitting is 90 cm with
standard deviation of 5cm,
50% driver can accommodate.
Increase ceiling height to 100
cm (95+5+5), 84% can
accommodate.
Increase 5cm more i.e. 105cm
will only accommodate extra
2% of the population.
Also increase drag and friction.
5th and 95th percentile are often
used to determine the
dimensions of products.
Consequences of Mismatch

Designer must predict
the consequences of
mismatch- how
serious they can be
and who would be
affected.
 Example, the fire
escape door. All
people can handle it
including children.
Mannequins

Crash test dummies
is created based on
5th and 95th percentile
data.
 Expensive.
 Nowadays use
software. Example

www.sammiecad.com
Design for Everyone
The problems of design that suits
everyone can be solved by

1.
2.
3.
Make different sizes
Design adjustable products
Anthropometry and Personal Space
Make different sizes
 Often
heard of free-size shirts?
 Most people can wear it.
 The size is based on minimum dimensions
of the population.
 How about people who wanted size S, M,
L, XL, XXL, XXXL?
 Designers must make shirts with different
sizes for different races/countries.
Design Adjustable Products

Design the
mechanism that can
adjust with the ease
of operation.
Anthropometry and Personal
Space

Everyone have
personal space.
 Regard as an area of
space that are
preserved.
 In the workplace, a
minimum separation
of desks or benches
of approximately 1.2
meters is necessary.
Summary
 5th
and 95th percentile plays big role in
determining the minimum value of
dimensions of products.
 Trade-off is unavoidable in designing
products.
 Use of mannequin is good for testing.
 Design for everyone can be approached in
several ways.
The End
Assignments





In this task you will gather anthropometric data
of your friends.
From the data, you will plot a normal distribution
graph.
In order to get the graph, you must get the
standard deviation and MEAN.
Each group must get data from 20 people
Take pictures of each measurement taken. (You
do not need to take picture of everyone)