BIOMECHANICS AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT IN ERGONOMICS

Abstract

This study introduced an ergonomic product development process consisting of eight stages of needs assessment, ergonomic guideline, anthropometry, brainstorming and idea sketch, preliminary model, drafting and rendering, working prototype, and user trials. As the instances of using biomechanics in the stage of user trials to reduce physical stress of product users, it also illustrated four case studies on clamping hand tool, laparoscopic surgical tool, drum washer, and wheeled luggage. The case studies utilized several biomechanical techniques covering direct force measurement with load cells, electromyography (EMG) for muscular force and fatigue estimation, and threedimensional inverse dynamic model for joint reaction force and moment estimation.