 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
V. Ryan © 2001-2006 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
What is ERGONOMICS ? The study of people and their relationship with the environment around them. What is ANTHROPOMETRICS ? The study of the human body and its movements. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Whatever you design you must always keep in mind that it must fit the person it is design for. Adults and children come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. We all like and dislike a variety of colours, sounds, shapes etc.. and so when we design all these factors must be borne in mind. Adults and children come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. We all like and dislike a variety of colours, sounds, shapes etc.. and so when we design all these factors must be borne in mind. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
For example; When designing a chair it is important that the chair fits the person who is going to sit in it. Usually the seating height is calculated by measuring the most comfortable seating height for the person. If a number of people are going to use the chair then the average seating height is calculated for a large number of people (see diagram above).
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
When designing a toy there are a number of points to consider. Children learn from sound, sight, colour, movement and other aspects. These all contribute to the ergonomics or anthropometrics of a design.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
In class you could do this by finding the average width of the right or left hand of ten pupils and dividing the total by ten (called the ‘mean average’). This can be arranged in your design folder as a table of figures. In this way the examiner and teacher can see how you have worked out your measurements. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The table of results displays a list of ten pupils and the measurement of the width of the left or right hand. The measurements are added up to give a total and then divided by the number of measurements. This gives the average measurement. If you were to design a handle this final measurement would help determine the size of the handle.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO USE ERGONOMICS IN YOUR PROJECTS ? |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
HOW TO LAYOUT AN ERGONOMICS RESEARCH SHEET |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Ergonomics is an important part of research. Whatever you design it must fit the person who is to use it. For example, if you are to design a door handle you may need to collect statistics regarding the size of hands. If you are designing a chair you will need to work out the average comfortable seating height. In the example below, the statistics have been worked out for the average size of adult hand. The measurements will then help in the development of a design for a desk tidy/ organiser as the overall hand sizes will determine the overall size of the desk tidy and its compartments. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. Carefully
consider the measurements that need collecting for your project. When
designing a book shelf the average reaching height of an adult will need to
be determined. When designing a watch strap the average circumference of a
wrist will need to be calculated. 2. At the top of the page, clearly explain the measurements you are to collect. 3. Draw simple diagrams to represent the measurements you are to collect and label the dimensions - A, B, C etc... (see example) 4. Collect the measurements of at least ten people and complete the table of statistics. 5. Work out the average (mean average). This is achieved by calculating the total and dividing by the number of people taking part. Column ‘A’ of our example adds up to 1752. This total is divided by 12 as this is the number of people taking part. The answer is the average measurement. 6. Do not collect too many measurements. The example opposite has room for four columns of statistics although only two have been used. 7. Add notes and labels to the diagrams if you feel an explanation is necessary. 8. At the bottom of the ergonomics page state clearly how you intend to use the statistic you have collected. 9. The same guidance applies to collecting statistics about animals. For instance, if you are designing an automatic animal feeder it may be necessary to collect statistics regarding hamsters or gerbils. Which ever animal you choose set out the ergonomics research sheet in the same way as seen in the example opposite. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SUGGESTIONS: A. Decide on the statistics you need to collect. B. Keep the table simple and ensure that you work out the average measurements. C. Include diagrams to help explain the statistics you are collecting. D. Label the dimensions A, B, C etc.... E. Complete your homework on time. Do not fall behind as you may find it impossible to catch up. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Below is another example of an ergonomics design sheet based in collecting the hand measurements of young children four to eight years of age. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
