Recent applications of the SAMMIE system

Human modelling systems such as SAMMIE can be powerful tools for the design team as they enable predictions to be made concerning problems with clearances, reaching, seeing or the combination of all these requirements that may force unnatural and damaging postures. The potential benefits arising from the use of such systems are discussed below, with reference to some recent projects completed by SAMMIE CAD Ltd

SAMMIE computer aided ergonomics

Human modelling systems can be powerful tools for the design team as they enable predictions to be made of the percentage of future users of the product who may have problems with clearances, reaching, seeing or the combination of all these requirements may force unnatural and damaging postures. When problems are identified, it is possible for all of the design team to scrutinise the data and the assumptions used. The ergonomics problems with a proposed design can be presented visually thereby supporting efficient communication within the design team and solution-orientated action. SAMMIE (System for Aiding Man Machine Interaction Evaluation) is a human modelling computer aided ergonomics design system that was conceived in the late 1960s and by 1978 the system was being used on a daily basis as a consultancy tool. This paper will describe and discuss some of the more important issues that we have had to deal with during the development and application of SAMMIE

The design of supermarket workstations to reduce the incidence of musculo-skeletal discomfort

Statistics provided by the Department of Social Security in Great Britain show that the number of days of certified incapacity because of musculo-skeletal diseases rose from 34.2 million days in 1971/2 to 78.2 million in 1986/7. This alarming rise is costly both to the employee and the employer. This paper describes how one large-supermarket store examined the extent of the problem experienced by their staff and what measures the management took to alleviate the situation. The great majority of studies concerning supermarket workers have examined only the cashiers' workstations (e.g. Wilson and Grey, 1984; Thorne and Russell, 1987, Krueger et al, 1988; Strasser 1990) often because of the introduction of laser scanning systems. The cashiers were typically found to report discomfort in the neck, shoulders, arms and back. A recent study by Ryan (1989) examined supermarket employees in a range of job areas and concluded that the cashiers experienced an excess prevalence of musculo-skeletal symptoms compared to other employees, particularly in the lower back and lower limbs. The discomfort in the lower limbs was associated with standing (whereas the other studies cited examined seated cashiers) and there appeared to be a threshold effect of about 50% of time spent standing for lower limb symptoms to appear. Earlier work by Buckle et al (1986) compared the incidence of musculo-skeletal disorders within female occupational groups including supermarket workers in general. It was pointed out that the supermarket workers showed only slightly lower prevalence rates of back pain than nurses who are known to be a group particularly at risk

Computer aided ergonomics design of automobiles

Computer aided ergonomics design of automobile

Applications of the SAMMIE CAD system in workplace design

Computer Aided Design (CAD) is now firmly established in some industries as the normal method of originating and evaluating designs. Thus in aerospace it would be normal to have computer representations of proposed aircraft long before mock-ups or prototypes are available for functional evaluation. This implies that many aspects of the design may be finalised before there is any opportunity to carry out ergonomics evaluations of the work space or work tasks which will eventually confront the operator. Other industries are not so advanced in using computers in design, but would benefit from the ability to carry out ergonomics evaluations early in the design process. It is natural therefore to look for CAD systems which have the capability of considering human as well as mechanical, structural or other aspects of design. SAMMIE. System for Aiding Man-Machine Interaction Evaluation, is one such system which has been used in this way for some years. It assists in the building of a computer model of the workplace which can be viewed and manipulated on a graphics screen in ways which will be familiar to users of modern three-dimensional solid modelling systems. In addition. and most importantly, it includes a model of the human operator which is used as an evaluative tool. This paper very briefly describes the characteristics of SAMMIE but concentrates on describing applications of the technique to workplace design. In the main these applications originate from design consultancy carried out in recent years, and include supermarket checkout facilities, visibility studies in underground trains, and a machine shop environment

Computer aided ergonomics and workspace design

Computer aided ergonomics and workspace desig

Anthropometric study to update minimum aircraft seating standards

This study was initiated by the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) under UK Civil Aviation Authority funding. The study was undertaken against a background trend of generally increasing body dimensions within the European population. This trend, when combined with an increasing number of longer duration flights and high density seating, prompted the need for a wide-ranging review of published anthropometric data that would guide JAA when considering the need for any regulation in this area. It should be noted that this report concentrates on the safety issues associated with seating arrangements. The specific aim is to ensure that seating standards are such that passengers would be able to quickly evacuate an aircraft in the event of an emergency. Thus, the study considers seating accommodation against expected population body dimensions. Software modelling has been used to make an initial assessment of the relationship between seating dimensions and evacuation difficulties. The health implications of aircraft seating are also considered. However, the comfort aspects of aircraft seating did not form part of the research study

Computer aided ergonomics

Ergonomics input to the design process is nowhere more important than at the concept and early development stages. SAMMIE (System for Aiding Man Machine Interaction Evaluation) is a human modelling computer aided ergonomics design system. SAMMIE is a predictive tool enabling the assessment of postural constraints placed upon people when interacting with the designed physical environmen

Comfort equals productivity

Computer aided human modelling systems can be used at the earliest stages of a design process to assess ergonomics where it can provide most benefit and while there is still plenty of time for modification