Jack, the Siemens PLM Software human simulation modeling tool that's part of the Tecnomatix digital manufacturing offering, got a little remodeling of its own with a new point release that pushes usability and productivity enhancements to facilitate easier, more accurate ergonomic studies.
Think of Jack (and there is a Jill) as digital manufacturing software's equivalent to gaming avatars. The digital humans are deployed on to digital factory floors, for example, to test and simulate safety conditions surrounding different machinery or to explore ergonomic conditions like reachability when assembling the virtual product. We've been reporting on Jack and other human simulation modeling tools for some time. But they've remained somewhat niche applications deployed by the pockets of large automotive OEMs and other manufacturers that have gone far down the path of digital prototyping.
Jack 7.1 comes with additional anthropometric databases, including those representing Japan and Korea.
Thanks to technology advances and an increased focus on ergonomics and safety on the factory floor, the use of human simulation modeling is becoming more widespread, according to Tom Hoffman, Siemens PLM Software's global marketing director for manufacturing engineering software solutions. Not only is the software starting to be used more readily in its traditional applications of ergonomics around product design and safety on the factory floor, but it's also starting to be used in specialized ways around maintenance and training. For example, Hoffman says the Department of Defense is increasing its deployment of tools like Jack to explore how vehicles get serviced in the field, and other companies are branching out and using the tools for training around service operations.
"We're seeing an uptick in interest, and we're seeing a lot of new technology come on board that makes human simulation tools more accessible," Hoffman told us. Specifically, more accessible motion capture technology, better graphics capabilities, and interactive interface systems like Microsoft's Kinect are pushing the envelope and opening doors for new use cases for the tools.
In its latest release of Jack, Siemens PLM Software has focused on making the software more accessible, as well as making productivity enhancements to help encourage broader use. Jack 7.1 includes new anthropometric databases, including those for Japan and Korea, to ensure populations in those areas are properly represented. In addition, the upgrade includes enhancements for posture prediction for seated activities and for disembodied hands. The seated posture tool, for instance, predicts overall body posture when a digital avatar needs to reach around and grab parts from a seated position. There is also a more accessible measurement tool -- a feature enhancement that was added based on user demand.
Alex, my experiences have been similar to yours in that human factor and ergonomic considerations are often claimed to have been well thought out by product management; but in reality are truly an afterthought. Its only after generations of (questionable) product releases show negative repercussions in the market that companies truly pay attention to real HF & ergonomic "needs".
In consumer products, a stodgy corporate attitude ("...we've always done it that way") can often be painfully reversed by a leaner, smaller competitor suddenly coming in and taking their market share.
In lesser driven markets like the military,end-users don't get much say in tools and equipment issued to them, and feedback to product designers is even more constrained - (recall the recent post in Design News discussing the pedometer/battery charger strapped to the Infantryman's boot heels).
In either scenario, HF & ergo can certainly stand to be further studied before launching the final versions of most products and equipment.These Avatars for the Factory Floor should prove positive worth, providing their use & application for design intent isn't too difficult to manage by the design engineers.
For the past 15 years or so, Buick has been putting a lot of effort into ergonomics and seat design with special attention being given to those who are several standard deviations from the norm. I believe they were making special efforts to remove the "hot spots" in seats for drivers as tall as 6'-7". See link below.
Thanks for the link. Good to know they are being responsive.
My husband's problem wasn't hot spots: it was the fact that he could not sit in the seat without bending his neck! The seat was simply too high, even at the lowest adjustment, and the cabin too small overall. He was more than 12 inches taller than the average Japanese person of that time, and Toyota and others had not yet adjusted to building cars for sale in the US that were designed for taller Americans.
Two of my sons are rather tall -- one is 6'-6" and the other is 6'-7". The taller one has trouble in a Honda Odyssey minivan, but is comfortable in a little Saturn Ion. Go figure. The taller one also had trouble with the Toyota Prius PHV. My impression is that these problems can be circumvented if the manufacturer is willing to let the driver's seat slide back into the rear seat area. That virtually eliminates the possibility of a passenger sitting in the rear seat, but at least it allows the driver to drive.
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