Integrating ergonomic analysis functionality with an immersive environment

Imtiyaz I Shaikh

The objective of this thesis is to enhance the application domain of VR-based virtual assembly tool by incorporating ergonomic analysis functionality. An immersive environment allows interaction with virtual models/prototypes and thus inherently lends itself to ergonomic evaluations. The concept can be approached in two distinct ways: either to have a built-in ergonomic module in the virtual assembly application in order to develop a common design platform; or, to integrate the VR application with commercially available ergonomic software for synergistic use of functionalities and capabilities of the different systems. The former approach demonstrates the capability to do ergonomic evaluations in the virtual assembly application, and the latter demonstrates the use of off-the shelf tools integrated with the VR application, for concurrent engineering. This allows us to evaluate both scenario and validate the implementation of ergonomic module in the immersive application. The tools used for the described work are: • Virtual Assembly Design Environment (VADE), a tool to investigate virtual assembly methods in mechanical system assembly process. • Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), a well-established ergonomic tool, • Jack, an ergonomics and human factors product used to improve the ergonomics of product designs and workplace tasks. In this context, a parametric human model was embedded into the virtual assembly system. The posture of the worker is analyzed continuously in real-time (at each frame) by the built-in RULA module in VADE, as he/she performs the specified task. At the same time, data sharing is implemented to send the position and orientation of the human model in VADE across to Jack. This data is used to control the human model of Jack and to do the analysis for the same posture. This allows sharing of Jack functionalities in VADE, allowing multiple ergonomic tools as add-on modules for the simulation in the immersive environment. The implementation allows the engineer to try out different postures and assembly processes quickly to identify the best work environment set-up. One pilot study is presented to demonstrate the application of this concept, with focus on upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. This pilot study (conducted jointly with an industry partner) clearly illustrates the validity and utility of the method in identifying and reducing manual assembly process related musculoskeletal stresses by providing functionality for ergonomic analysis in the virtual assembly application.

Integrating ergonomic analysis functionality with an immersive environment

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