Page 5 SECTION H i) Define the term \'anthropometry\'. (Gi) List four (4) factor
ID: 422454 • Letter: P
Question
Page 5 SECTION H i) Define the term 'anthropometry'. (Gi) List four (4) factors which affect the anthropometry of a population. (iii) Explain three (3) important factors which must be considered in the application of anthropometrics to the design of products and workplaces 9 marks) (b) What is a fitting trial'? Explain the advantages and disadvantages of fitting trials. (6 marks) (c) Consider the layout of a typical computerized office workstation and the work tasks performed. Identify and briefly explain three (3) main links which exist between the worker and the immediate job environment. (6 marks) (d) Discuss the minimum recommended features of an office chair which should be considered in order to achieve acceptable levels of ergonomics performance across a broad range of users. (12 marks)Explanation / Answer
A)
i) Anthropometry is derived from Greek words "anthrops" meaning humans and "metricos" meaning measurement.
Hence it is the science of measuring the body size. The basic definition is : The application of scientific methods to human subjects for the development of design standards and requirements for evaluation of engineering drawings of manufactured products to assure the suitability of these products to intended users.
ii) Factors that affect Anthropometry are:
- Gender: Makes have less fat tissues than females and fat occumulation differs in regions between males and females.
- Ethnicity: Body part proportions differ for people living in different areas.
- Age: Body weight differs with age as weight increases after 30 and decreases after 50, also height increases along with age.
- Occupation: According to the space availability and environmental conditions in different occupations the design also varies.
iii) Factors which must be considered for application of Anthropometry for design of products or services are:
- Human factors: The design must be carried out to meet human needs and according to the intended body measurements data.
- Ergonomic factors- The design must be such that in enhances performance of work by reducing task times and object distances from the handling part of body.
- Environmental factors: such as humidity, temperature, space availablity, amount of force to be handled by the product influences the design.
B) Fitting trials are experiments in which the a prototype or mock up made according to the design is checked by its intended user to ensure the design and to make changes if needed.
Advantages:
- To ensure usability of very large or vary small body size population.
- It helps to calculate what percentage of population can use this design
- Helps to tailor the design for the best fit among the intended population.
Disadvantages:
- It increases cost of making a prototype.
- Increases final product launch time due to gathering of users and testing the prototype.
- Increases design of due to design changes and fitting adjustments.
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